Obituary of Melvin Albert Autio

Melvin Albert Autio, 90, of Floodwood, died Friday, December 19, 2003 in Villa Vista Nursing Home, Cromwell. He was born May 28, 1913 in Virginia, MN, the son of Walter and Helmi (Makela) Autio. He attended the Moore School in Van Buren Township. Melvin married Lilly Mattila on March 5, 1940 in Duluth. Melvin was an occasional logger and in 1936, he worked on the construction of Hwy #2 and then worked at the Duluth Steel Plant. In 1940, he worked at the Sager Lock Factory in Waukegan, IL and then was a dredge operator during the construction of the John F. Kennedy Airport in Long Island, NY. From 1942 - 1943, he worked at Butler Bros. Shipbuilders in Superior, WI and from 1945 until his retirement in 1975, he was a machine operator for Great Northern-Burlington Railroad. Melvin was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Floodwood, the Floodwood Senior Citizens, N.A.R.V.R.E. and the Merry Makers Dance Group. He enjoyed playing the banjo and harmonica, fishing, hunting, pitching horseshoes and loved to dance. Melvin is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Arthur, Ted, Roy and Raymond Autio; four sisters, Helia Kujawa, Violet Juola, Evelyn Aho and Genevieve Autio; and a step-grandson, Scott Patterson. A devoted father, husband and family head, Melvin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lilly of Floodwood; two sons, Richard (Patty) and Ralph (Sheila) both of Duluth; a daughter, Patricia (Gerald) Bruno of Washburn, WI; a sister, Maxine Makela of Menahga; 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 23, 2003 from 10:00 until the 11:30 a.m. funeral service in Hope Lutheran Church, Floodwood. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Van Buren Township. If preferred, memorials may be given to a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet.