Obituary of Roy Richard Autio

Roy Richard "Royal" Autio, 86, of Cloquet, died Friday, February 1, 2002 in St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth. He was born February 7, 1915 in Lawler to Nels and Ida (Nurro) Autio. In his early years, Roy worked on the family farm in Lawler and also worked in the lumber camps. He was drafted into the Army in 1941 and served in the 183rd and 951st Field Artillery Battalions. He took part in the Normandy Landing and the Battle of the Bulge earning several battle stars. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1945, he returned to the area and was employed by Potlatch from 1946 - 1977. Roy married Vilma Siltanen on September 4, 1948 in Cloquet. In 1979, Roy and Vilma started attending the yearly veteran reunions of the two artillery battalions in which he served, reacquainting with old friends and making many new friends. Roy enjoyed bowling, most recently in the senior league, fishing, deer hunting, gardening, especially raising potatoes and spending time on the "old home place" in Lawler. He was a member of the Potlatch Quarter Century Club and Hebert Kennedy VFW 3979 in Cloquet. He was preceded in death by three sisters and five brothers. Roy is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Vilma of Cloquet; two nephews, Tom (Caryl) Autio of Scanlon and Ted (Kristin) Bakkila of San Anselmo, CA; a niece, Dorothy (Tom) Carney of Hanover Park, IL and many special friends and neighbors. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 5, 2002 from 1:00 until the 2:00 P.M. funeral service in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the 951st Battalion Fire Mission Newspaper. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home.