Toni Ann Burns

Toni Ann Burns, 45, died in her sleep at home March 2, 2013, due to numerous medical problems that took their toll.

A funeral service in honor of Toni is at 3 p.m., March 8 at Knik Sunny Chapel, Mile 14, Knik-Goose Bay Road in Wasilla. Pastor S. Duane Guisinger will officiate. Per Toni’s wishes, her cremation will immediately follow the service.

Toni was born May 12, 1967, at Orlando Air Force Base in Orlando, Fla. Toni was raised in an Air Force family, causing her to move a few times in her life. Toni came back to Anchorage in 1981 when her father retired from the military. Around 1987, she purchased a housing lot outside of Wasilla and started to build her own home. Toni soon met Vernon Herwig, the love of her life, who was dedicated to her wellbeing and care until the end.

The family wrote: “Toni loved her family, friends and all animals. A large hole and vacuum were created when Toni was yanked from us. Blind in one eye, the loss of one leg to cancer and a Type 1 diabetic, she beat all the odds and stayed with us these short 45 years. Greatly loved by all, she surely will be missed.”

Preceding her in death was her grandfather, Russell E. Burns I; uncle, Timothy N. Burns I; and grandparents, Orion and Rhoda Olson.

Surviving are her partner, Vernon Herwig, Wasilla; grandmother, Dorothy J. Burns, Las Vegas, Nev.; father, Bruce R. Burns, Anchorage; mother, Linda V. Olson, Phoenix, Ariz.; brothers, Russell E. Burns II and Timothy N. Burns II of Anchorage; sister, Penelope A. Burns and husband Andrew Brough of Anchorage; uncle, Speed Burns of Henderson, Nev.; aunt, Marlene Anderson and family of Westby, Mont.; cousins, Denise Leonard and husband Dale of Henderson, Nev., and Laura Ruiz and family of Las Cruces, N.M.; and many friends across the country.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.