Rodney Dale Pietila

Rodney Dale Pietila, 85 of Duluth, formerly Floodwood, passed away March 25, 2025 in his home with loved ones by his side.

He was born September 15, 1939 at the family farm in Floodwood, MN to Wayne and Hilda Pietila. He went to Floodwood High School where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. He attended Bemidji State University where he received his Bachelors Degree in History and also lettered in baseball and track.

He took a short teaching job in Wisconsin before moving to Spray, OR for a teaching job where he also coached football, basketball and baseball. Spray is also where he met his beautiful wife of 61 years, Ruth Britt. He worked in the woods in the summers with his brothers-in-law before taking other teaching and coaching jobs.

Rod got his Masters Degree at the University of Portland in Criminal Justice. He landed a job at Multnomah County Sheriffs Department in Gresham, OR, where he later became a Deputy Sheriff and received an award for valor.

Rod and his family moved back to Floodwood, MN in fall of 1977 to the farmstead. Rod was the Law Enforcement Director for the Arrowhead Region for 24 years. He also coached football and baseball for Floodwood High School from 1981-1983.

Rod loved spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, camping and watching sports and every ballgame his children ever played.

Rod is survived by his wife, Ruth; children, Brenda (Skeeter) Heavirland of Chisholm, Todd (Aimee) Pietila of Brainerd, Tiffany Zieroth (Bill Bean) of Twig; son-in-Law, Moose Johnson of Royalton; 18 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Wayne; sister, Marilyn Kangas; daughter, Trudee Johnson; and granddaughter, Chelsea Johnson.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00pm on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second Street, Duluth with a Visitation beginning at 11:00am.

A special thanks to Cassandra and The Hospice Group.