Larry Lyle Burns

Larry Lyle Burns grew up in a Foursquare house on Pleasant Street in River Rouge, MI, the fourth child of Irma and Gerald. While backpacking through Europe as a college student, Larry met the love of his life, Lotta, in Paros, Greece. Larry and Lotta were married in Kalamazoo, MI in 1981.

Following his graduation from WMU, Larry and Lotta moved to Finland, where not only did he become fluent in Finnish language and culture, he also found a cause, and a degree, in architecture. Soon after, Larry and Lotta became parents, first welcoming Sessie into the world in 1989, and less than two years later, Rudi completed the family.

After moving from Finland to Michigan in 1994, Larry combined his passion for design, sustainability, and preservation into a livelihood restoring and building beautiful homes, community spaces, and neighborhoods throughout Kalamazoo. Larry was passionate, loving, and intense. He cared deeply about his family, his community, and the world.

Larry is loved and missed by his wife Lotta, children Sessie and Rudi, siblings David, Candy (Brian), Robert (MaryKay), Bart (Lori), Kasper (Gun), Jonna (Asko), Justus (Paula), Patrik (Vafa), mother-in-law Pirjo Järnefelt, nieces, nephews, and countless friends. He is survived by the city to which he dedicated his career and deployed his talents.

In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or donate to releafmichigan.org. Pictures, memories, and words can be shared at larrylyle.com. A celebration will be held from noon to 4PM on December 28, 2019 at Old Dog Tavern (402 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007) - open house with brief remarks at 12:30PM. A second memorial in Finland is planned for early spring.