Flora Matilda Hietala

Flora Matilda (Salmela) Hietala

Flora Matilda (Salmela) Hietala, 98, of Hibbing, Minn., passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025, at Cornerstone Villa in Buhl, Minn.

Flora was born on May 18, 1927, in Sebeka, Minn., to Charles and Melia Salmela. She was the youngest and only girl in the family with older brothers Arnold, Alvin, Rueben, Art, Harry, Chester, and Melvin. She graduated from the University of Minnesota nursing school. She married Otto Hietala on May 15, 1949, and they resided in Hibbing, Minn. She was a member of the Cedar Valley Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her children: Robert (Barbara) Hietala, Hibbing, MN, Carl Hietala of Hopkins, MN, Linda Heikkila, Hibbing, MN, and Louise (Phillip) Lind, Duluth, MN; her son-in-law, Mark Heikkila, Hibbing, MN, six grandchildren,17 great-grandchildren; many dear nieces and nephews and a host of brothers and sisters in faith.

She was preceded in death by her husband Otto; daughter-in-law Jill (Wagner) Hietala, granddaughter Alison (Hietala) Lee; great-granddaughter Eleanor Lee; parents; and nine brothers (including two infant brothers).

The family wishes to thank Dr. Kasey Kapella, Hillary Zupan PCP, and the loving staff at Cornerstone Villa in Buhl, MN for the years of excellent care they provided to Mom. We would also like to thank Fairview Hospice for their assistance during our mom's final days.

A visitation for Flora will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Cedar Valley Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, 8038 Cedar Valley Rd., Floodwood, Minn., followed by the funeral at 1:00 p.m.

Burial will follow funeral at the Cedar Valley Cemetery.

Family services are provided by Anderson-Daniels, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Hibbing. To share condolences online please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.