Tina Marie Balenger, age 41, of 6041 E. Stonington AA.5 Road, Rapid River died Thursday morning August 23, 2007 at the St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba of an apparent heart attack.
Tina was born June 30, 1966 in Manistique the daughter of Ralph and Joyce (Gibbons) Burt. She was raised in Manistique and attended the Manistique Public Schools.
Tina enjoyed listening to Country and Western Music and spending time outdoors. She loved all animals and treasured spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband Greg who she married on December 24, 2003
Parents: Ralph and Joyce Burt of Manistique
2 Sons:
Brandon Burt of Manistique
Calvin (Cassie LaVigne) Burt of Rapid River
1 Daughter: Trista Schaffer of Escanaba
1 Brother: Mike Burt of Manistique
2 Sisters: Becky Burt of Manistique
Mary Marcelino of Detroit, MI
5 Grandchildren: Jenna Chase, Jordon Schaffer, Jeremiah Sarasin, and twins, Theron and Mackenzie Burt.
Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins
Tina
Anonymous
Brandon,
I am writing this to you because I know how hard you are taking this and how much you are struggling with the loss of Mom. I just wanted to let you know how much she loved you, even at times when she was hard on you. She was hard on you because she knew how much potential you have, and you are capable of so much Brandon. You are very smart and have so much to offer, and Mom could see that in you. She only wanted the best for you. I want to let you know that no matter what, Iam here for you. If you need help or just want to talk, call me anytime day or night. Just never forget how much Mom loved you and now she is watching over you, so make her proud Brandon! I love you!
Your Big Sister, Trista Schafer
Escanaba, MI
Brandon,
I am so sorry Brandon I know that this has been hard for you but I know that you can get through this I believe in you I am sorry for your loss. You know that we all love you with all of our hearts and You know that I love you 2 cuz I hope you have a great time and congrats on the father hood coming up soon okay I with you the best of luck and I know that you can get through this
Annmarie Semear
Clinton Township, MI
Calvin and family,
Please know you are in my prayers as you go through this difficult time. Calvin, although I have only known your mom a short time, she was an amazing woman!! Her kids meant everything to her. She was so proud of you Calvin. I also remember the excitement in her voice when she shared with me the birth of the twins!!! She was such a proud grandma!! Cassie, I truly believe she thought of you as a “daughter”. She was so proud of you, too!! I will also remember your mom’s upbeat personality…she could be so funny!!! Please know you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Tammy Wetthuhn
Gladstone, MI
I will miss your laughter and the joking around we had at work and the many talks we had over the last few years…you have been a great friend, and I will always rememeber the fun…may you rest in peace….
Roger Perrigo
Bancroft , MI
There are so many memories we have together, that it’s not possible to pick just one. Tina and I were good friends, and I was astounded to hear of her passing. There are no words to express my sympathy to Greg, Trista, Calvin, Cassie, Brandon, and the rest of the family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers, as you endure this difficult time. Tina will forever live on in all of our hearts and our memories. We’re terribly sorry we couldn’t be with you during this difficult time, but we were there in thought. We love you all, and if you ever need anything, let us know.
Katie & Keith Pottiger
Halifax, PA
Greg and Family,
Greg I am so sorry to hear about your wife Tina. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. May you all be blessed with Healing Love during this difficult time.
your cousin,
Brenda Kinnart and Ed Randell
Milwaukee, WI
Tina, I will miss you so much… I will never forget you or your smile….sure wish we were back in school. I miss all the fun and the things we did like find trouble… I will see you on the other side some day please when it’s my time I want you to help me find my way…
Love ya always,
Mindy
Manistique, MI
Tina was a wonderful person. I was friends with her throughout her junior high and senior high school years. Sadly, we weren’t in touch with one another over the past few years. I would just like to let you know that she will be sadly missed.
Janelle Joslin
Manistique, MI
Greg,i’m sorry to hear about your wife. I worked with Tina at the veneer plant, she was a very funny person,and a blast to work with. My heart goes out to you and your family and to her children. She will be in your hearts. God bless
Bobbi Jo Martinson
Gladstone, MI
Growing up with Tina in the same town was a pleasure. Being seperated for a short period of time didn’t have any effect on our friendship. She always had that warm cheerful smile and a big heart to go with. Her love for family, friends, and pets was her passion in life. She will be sadley missed….I love you girlfriend!
Colleen deVeaux
Rapid River, MI
Tina we are all going to miss you like crazy. you were my best friend. I could talk to you about anything. It’s so hard to believe that your gone. I just look at it as if I’ll see you again some day. We love you!
Cassie LaVigne and Calvin Burt
Rapid River, MI
I didn’t get the chance to know Tina, but I met Trista and her two boys. I have given Trista’s daughter lots of cloths. My feeling go out to them and hope that this is helps. Trista if you read this and need anything you can call me anytime I will do what I can to help out. I am glad to have met you, you seem like a wonderful person. Hopefully things will work out for you.
Christina Nareski
Chatham, MI
Greg & kids,
my sympathy to all of you on the loss of Tina. I worked with her at n.m.v. she was an awesome person who cared very much about all of you. she was full of energy and always upbeat and smiling. she always spoke of how much she loved her kids and grandkids. I still kept in touch with her through email after I left the plant, and am very sad to hear such horrible news. you guys are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lana Boudreau
Perronville, MI
Mom words cant describe hom much I Love and miss you. The fun times we shared togeather can never be replaced by anyone and will never be forgotten and I will always keep them in my heart. Till we meet again i will always be thinking about you mom. Now your in a special place and we all know your happy and I pray for you to help us all make it through and watch over all of us that Loved you. Life has gone by so quick where did the years go now your gone but i guess it was your time to go.I know we will all see you again one day with a big smile you will have waiting to greet us so we all can be a happy family again but until then.
Love your son
Always & forever
Brandon Burt
Manistique, MI
Tina,thank you so much for being in my brothers life ,I know he is really going to be lost without you,we sure are going to miss you.
Debbie & John
Escanaba, MI
Greg I am with you in my heart. The time you and Tina had will always be cherished. Continue to think of all the wonderful times with laughter and the love you gave each other. Sometimes we never know why things like this happen, but I guess we shouldn’t judge but be thankful for the time we did have. If you ever need someone to talk to or even be with, I will always be there for you. Please don’t hesitate to call or stop in. I love you Greg and time will only heal the hurt you are feeling at this time.
Laurie Vermote
Escanaba, MI
Ohh Tina…you were to full of life to really be gone..If only you could know how much I’m going to miss you…You were more than just a friend…You were my sister and I loved you dearly..
I’m so mad at myself for letting time slip on by..It goes so fast!! The past 3 years are just a blur since my bad car accident and I went back to school for Medical Assisting..I should graduate in December…I’m number 1 in my class..you would be proud of me..
I finally found your MySpace page and I want to call you up and tell you so much about the pictures I saw!!
The kids are all grown and turned out so beautiful..and the grand-babies are such angels..I know you are so proud..
We were friends since I was 5 years old and you would try to beat me up and Id whack you with my flute case…lol
I even went to parenting classes with you so I could see Calvin be born…but he was in to much of a hurry to make his entrance in the world that he couldn’t wait to make his appearance..and didn’t wait until I returned from my cousins wedding…so i missed it…
You were always so bubbly and happy that if you were blue you wouldn’t be after talking with you for only a few minutes..
Whenever I think of you I see your happy smiling face and I hear your laughter..I always said there’s only one Tina…They broke the mold after they made you…
I wish I could put down what im feeling inside.. but thats not possiable…I got up this morning and saw the sun rising…and thought about my busy day I have ahead of me….The kids have a birthday party to go to….theres shopping to do.. laundry to be done….homework to complete…and so on my life goes on…but yours is still…
You will always be in my heart…and I will miss you terriably…
Love always….
Julie Terrian Andrews
Griffin, GA
i just wanted to express my heartfelt sympathy to Tina’s family and friends that are mourning her loss. She was a Good Friend, A Loving Daughter, A Very Loving Mother, Loving Sister, and A Doting Grandma to her grandbabies.. She had a big heart and helped anyone she could.. She loved her Angel Eyes..I am praying that God Keeps all of you in the palm of your hand through this difficult time and gives you the strength you need to get through this and heal in time. Rest In Peace Tina.. God Only Proved when he called you home he takes the best and when he took you a truly golden heart stopped beating when you left all those you loved you deeply. I feel blessed to have had you in my life. And I thank God for the gift of you in my life.Rest In Peace Til We Meet Again.. I know you will be watchin over your family and friends til you can see all of them again. So til then its not goodbye just see you later..
Sylvia
Stratford, WI
Tina I will forever cherish the awesome times we had. People always thought we were sister and I felt the same, although we went are seperate ways you were always on my mind. Rest in peace my friend until we meet again.
Lori McLear
Manistique, MI
Greg, Trista, & Calvin~
I want to express how very sorry I am to hear about Tina. She was such a bubbly-full of life person, always smiling, always laughing! She will be greatly missed. I always enjoyed my visits with her, I never seen anyone so excited to get her hair done. I will miss her dearly. No words can take away the pain and loss you are experiencing at this time, but please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. I hope you find peace in the days to come, God Bless!
Craig & Dodie Micheau & Family
Rapid River, MI
To my sister tina whom I loved so much,We talked everyday on the phone and now all I have are the wonderful memories we shared together,I really really loved you soo much sis I wish this was all a dream,To Greg and the rest of her family Im so sorry this happened and I am here for you all if you need someone to talk to.My sister was such an enjoyable person to be around and she would Always make you smile when you were down always a Happy -go- lucky person as she called herself.You will be forever in my thoughts and loved Always by many.Kisses to you Tina
Mary Marcelino
Clinton Township, MI
Tina you will be missed so much, the memories we shared will always be close to my heart, I wish I could of known you longer but the time I did know you will always be special to me. You were the greatest friend I could of asked for, I cant imagine having a better friend then you. I will see you one day again…i love you and will miss you.
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Beth Wood
Manistique, MI
Mom I love you so much, words can’t desribe. I am so lost without you. I would give anything to hug you one more time and tell you I love you. You were all I had, and all my children had. I will make sure your Angel Eyes never forgets you, and I will remind my kids everyday what a great grandmother they had. I can’t believe Iam here without you. What keeps me going is that one day I will see you again. I hope you are watching over all of us, because I need you. You were the shoulder I leaned on for 24 years. Losing you is like losing a Mom, and a best friend. Thank you for always being by my side when I was right, and when I was wrong. I will never forget you Mom, and I cannot wait until the day when I see you again. I need you so much. I love you mom….
Trista Schafer
Escanaba, MI