Tani Joy (Parkkinen) Burns

Chatham

Tani Joy Burns (nee Parkkinen), age 52, of Chatham died unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, January 22, 2022.  She was born in Los Angeles, California on July 2, 1969 to the late Adrian and Darlene (Tormala) Parkkinen.  At the age of fourteen, she moved to Ishpeming, Michigan to live with family.  Tani was a graduate of Westwood High School with the class of 1987.  She later went to Northern Michigan University where she earned her Registered Nursing Degree.  Tani worked for many years as a nurse in the NICU at Marquette General Hospital.  She married Todd Burns in 1998 and together they raised their four daughters.  Tani had a love for all things.  She loved the adrenaline from riding rollercoasters, skiing, riding horses, and going fast.  But she also loved to slow things down with spending endless hours in her garden and attending church services with the Church of Christ and Limestone Baptist Church.  Tani’s love for horses earned her many trophies, belt buckles, and was crowned Rodeo Queen in Arizona in 1992.

She is survived by her daughters – Tracy (Trevor) Lange of Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK, Katie (Gavin) Miller of Munising, and Abbey and Amy Burns both of Eben Junction; granddaughter – Violet; and brother – Larry (Tracy) Parkkinen of Los Angeles.  Tani was preceded in death by her parents – Adrian and Darlene; sister – Kay Parkkinen; cousins - Christy and Marnie Parkkinen; and grandmother – Hilja Kallio.

Tani’s services will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at the Limestone Baptist Church in Limestone.  Visitation will be from 12:00 until 1:00 p.m.  Pastor Ted Jolls will conduct her memorial service at 1:00 p.m.