1941 – 2023
Mrs. Taina Virtanen (nee Lappalainen) of Innisfail, Alberta, passed away peacefully at Points West Living, Red Deer, Alberta on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at the age of 81 years.
Taina was born on September 27, 1941, to Aune and Martti Lappalainen in Lapinjarvi, Finland, the second of seven children, and the first daughter. The family moved to a small homestead when Taina was young, and even though times were tough in post war times, she remembered her childhood of skiing, swimming in ponds, and playing around with her siblings with fondness. Taina was very athletic and competitive; she was always trying to beat her brothers at their games.
As soon as she finished school, Taina worked at all sorts of jobs from a Health Aide, to sewing, and factories, all to help bring in extra money to buy clothes and other niceties for her younger sisters. She really enjoyed learning how to make clothing. While working at a textile factory, Taina was introduced to a co-worker’s youngest brother, Reino. The two soon fell in love and married in the summer of 1964.
Taina followed her new husband to a coastal city in Finland. This was her first time being away from family. She settled into the new city, meeting people, and making friends, while her husband was away at sea. Their eldest daughter, Tanja, was born a short time later. It was here that the young, adventurous couple began to dream about travelling abroad and finding a job where Reino did not have to be away at sea, and away from family.
Soon thereafter, they left family and friends even further behind as they emigrated halfway around the world to Mount Isa, a small mining town in Australia. There, they learned the new language, worked hard, and saved money to buy their first ever house together, as well as a brand-new car. Times were good and prosperous; and their second daughter, Teija, was born a short time later. Taina loved swimming, so they would pack up the car and head for the beaches at every opportunity. Reino sunk like a rock, so he stayed ashore and watched the girls while Taina swam in the ocean. On one of these swimming trips, Taina stepped on a sting ray and was stung, she was rushed to the hospital, where the doctors had to fight hard to save her life.
The travel bug struck yet again, so on a wild lark, Taina and Reino applied, and were accepted to live in Canada. The family of four packed up and set off on another grand adventure, moving to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in the middle of winter, arriving just before Christmas.
During their years in the Soo, their youngest child, Tim, was born. Taina took up gardening, embraced hockey and the Maple Leafs, and spent hot summer days at the local beaches with the kids. Every morning, Taina would fill her little Mini-Cooper; it would be bursting with lunches, towels and a bunch of kids, heading off for a full day of swimming.
Times were beginning to get lean in the Soo, with Reino having to go further from home for work, so the couple uprooted once again, in search of better opportunities. They headed west and settled in the town of Innisfail, Alberta in 1978, to spend the remainder of their years working and living happily in the small town. Over the years, their love of travel had them visiting many countries and places, but Innisfail was where their roots were set.
Taina worked in housekeeping at the local hotel and the Innisfail Health Center, and for a short time, in a licorice making factory. She helped her husband build houses in the evenings, went to all her son’s hockey games, and later, the grandchildren’s swim meets and dance recitals. She loved family and gardening and watching Oilers games. Taina will be remembered as a very kind and loving friend, with a big heart, hardworking, and always jumping in to give a helping hand.
Taina lost the love of her life in 2014, the year that would have been their fiftieth anniversary. She stayed in the family home on her own for several years, keeping in touch with friends and family with short visits and long phone calls.
Taina will be lovingly remembered by her three children, her eight grandchildren, her three great grandchildren, her four sisters, and her younger brother, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Reino, her parents, and her eldest brother.
The family would like to thank everyone at Points West Living for their kind and gentle care during Taina’s time there. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for family and friends. If desired, Memorial Donations in Taina's honor may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada at www.heartandstroke.ca or to Hope for Dementia at www.hopefordementia.org. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
