As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
Ely Twp, MI – Richard John Parkinen (“Parkie”), 82, passed away on Monday, December 16th, 2024 at U.P. Health System in Marquette, after an almost month-long stay.
Parkie was born in Laurium, Michigan on November 9th, 1942, a son of John and Hilja (Maki) Parkinen. He grew up in Cloverland Location, where he helped his family maintain the farm. He graduated from Calumet High School in 1962, and enlisted in the U.S. National Guard shortly afterwards. In 1966, he married Gail Tulppo of Laurium.
Parkie had worked at the Calumet & Hecla mines in Calumet. But, when they went on strike in 1968 and closed down, he moved the family to Ishpeming, near the Mather B mine, where he worked underground. Afterwards, he worked for Cleveland Cliffs’ Empire Mine. Parkie worked at the Empire for 25 years, where he drove a production truck until his retirement in 2000. He was very proud of his truck, number 87, which is still on display in Ishpeming as part of the Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum.
Anyone who knew Parkie knew what a kind, humble, and gentle soul he was–the epitome of the strong and silent type. A true Finn to the end, he loved nothing more than a hot sauna, and spent many a summer shagging wood to keep it nice and hot all year round for his family and friends. His hard-work ethic meant that he was constantly working around the house, but would never ask for a hand. He did not like to draw any attention to himself, but he loved to help others.
Parkie had a lifelong interest in motor sports. In his younger days, he loved four-wheeling, motorcycling, and snowmobiling. He loved admiring classic cars, and watching NASCAR races on TV. Parkie also treasured time spent at the family cottage at Big Betsy on Lake Superior in the Keweenaw, where he and Gail would spend a large part of their summers.
In 2010, after the devastating loss of their daughter, Marnie, he and Gail took it upon themselves to raise her children in Ishpeming. Layla was 10 at the time, and Nicholas was 4. Layla and Nick still reside with Gail to this day.
Parkie is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Gail (Tulppo) Parkinen; a son, Derek Parkinen, of Clearwater, FL; a daughter, Brooke (Eric) Peterson of Calumet; grandchildren Layla and Nicholas Parkinen; and Kirra, Ryder, and Lila Peterson. He is also survived by a nephew, Larry Parkinen of Southern California, and two nieces, Kathy (Bessonen) Bohr, and Marcia (Bessonen) West of Detroit, MI.
Parkie is preceded in death by his parents, John and Hilja (Maki) Parkinen, a brother, Adrian Parkinen, a sister, Joyce (Parkinen) Bessonen, one son, Paul Parkinen (d.2023), and two daughters, Marnie Parkinen (d.2010) and Kristie Parkinen (d.2003). He is also preceded by two nieces, Tani (Parkinen) Burns and Kay Lynn Parkinen.
Parkie’s family will greet relatives and friends from 12:00-2:00pm on Wednesday, December 18th, at the Erickson Crowley Peterson funeral home in Calumet. The funeral service will take place afterwards at 2:00, with Al Anderson to officiate. A spring burial will take place at Waasa Cemetery.
