Everett, WA – Marnie R. Parkinen, age 35, former Ishpeming area resident passed away unexpectedly of a massive heart attack caused from an enlarged heart on Wednesday Nov. 17, 2010 at her home in Everett, WA.

Marnie was born April 11, 1975 in Ishpeming to Richard J. and Gail D. (Tulppo) Parkinen. She was a graduate of Westwood High School, Class of 1993. While attending Westwood, Marnie was active in Business Professionals of America, attending BPA Nationals in her junior year. She went on to attend Northern Michigan University, and then transferred to University of Washington where she received her bachelor's degree in education. Marnie furthered her education at Washington State University where she received a Master's degree. She was a proud member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. Marnie had taught social studies at the Alderwood Middle School in the Edmonds School District in Edmonds, WA. She was currently working on becoming certified in Mathematics in order to make herself more employable.

Marnie was a wonderful mother, devoting her time and talents to her children Layla and Nicholas. Being a teacher allowed Marnie and her children to enjoy their summers in the Upper Peninsula, especially at the family cottage on Lake Superior in the Keweenaw. While in the Keweenaw she enjoyed many outdoor activities, including berry picking, camping, bonfires, and snowmobiling. She also enjoyed traveling to other states as well as to foreign countries. She was proud of her Finnish heritage, and recently had learned how to make Niisu (Finnish bread) and Juustoa (Finnish cheese). Although she was in Seahawk Country, Marnie was known to attend the occasional Packer – Seahawk game dressed in Packer Green and Gold much to the chagrin of her Seattle-area friends. Marnie was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post #114 Ladies Auxiliary.

Survivors include her daughter Layla Parkinen and son Nicholas Parkinen both of Everett, WA, her parents Gail and Richard Parkinen of Champion, a sister Brooke (Eric Peterson) Parkinen of Cary, NC, 2 brothers – Paul Parkinen currently serving in the United States Army in Afghanistan and Derek Parkinen of Tampa, FL, her fiancé Ken Cook of Everett, WA, a step-son Lucas Cook of Eugene, OR, an aunt and uncle – Marlene and Robert Davison of Green Bay, WI, uncles – Ronald Tulppo of Clearwater, FL and Allen Bessonen of Laurium, cousin Tani (Todd) Burns of Eben, who lived with the family for several years, Kathy (Jeff) Bohr of Plymouth, Marcia West of Farmington Hills, several other cousins, and special friends Amber Emanuelson of Marquette and John Godo of Asheville, NC. She will join in heaven those who have gone before her including her sister Kristie D. Parkinen in 2003, her maternal grandparents Eino and Eleanor Tulppo, her paternal grandparents Hilja (Parkinen) Kallio and John Parkinen, an uncle and 3 aunts.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 until 8pm on Monday Nov. 22, 2010 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home and from 10 until 11am on Tuesday Nov, 23, 2010 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am on Tuesday with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Interment will take place in the spring at the Waasa Cemetery in Hancock Twp.

Pallbearers will be her 2 brothers Paul & Derek Parkinen, Eric Peterson, David Harju, Alfred Brouillette, John Godo and Craig Timonen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial considerations in memory of Marnie may be directed to her family, by whom a trust fund is being set up for her children, c/o Gail and Richard Parkinen at 1389 Co. Rd. CNA-W, Champion, MI 49814.

Marni's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.