Elsa Lydia Rautio

Elsa Lydia Rautio, 88, of Astoria, died Friday, March 25, 2011, in Astoria, with all three of her daughters at her bedside.

She was born Feb. 27, 1923, in Kalvia Hilli, Finland, to Johan Sandvik Palo and Lyydia Maria Palo.

She received her education in Finland, Emantakoulu (Home Economics School), Finland. In 1980, she received a GED through Clatsop Community College. She became a U.S. citizen in 1986.

On Dec. 21, 1947, she married Kalle Valio Rautio in Kalvia, Finland. He preceded her in death Aug. 25, 2010. The couple immigrated to Clatsop County in 1955. They loved traveling, and drove the Alkan Highway to Alaska twice. They made several trips to Finland, the most recent being in 2007 with extended family. They would often break out in song, and loved to dance in their day.

Mrs. Rautio worked at Bumble Bee Seafoods for 20 years, first at Cold Storage, then on the tuna and salmon lines, and finally in the laundry. She enjoyed working several summers for Bumble Bee in South Naknek, Alaska. She was also an Avon sales representative for many years, achieving President’s Club status. She worked side-by-side with her husband building the family home, where she resided until her death.

She received a medal of honor from the Finnish government in 1997 for her service on the home front during World War II, from 1939 to 1945. She guarded Russian prisoners of war on the family farm during the war years.

A 50-year member of Ladies of Kaleva Lodge, Tyynettaren Tupa No. 40, she held many leadership positions in the organization. She was also a member of the Finnish Brotherhood Lodge, Suomi-Seura, Peace Lutheran Church and the Mary Unit Bible study group. She took classes throughout her life and learned to swim as an adult. She became an avid lap swimmer, then taught children to swim at the YMCA.

Family members said she was very supportive of her children and grandchildren and involved in all of their activities. In addition to sewing, tailoring, weaving, crocheting and hand-knitting, she learned how to use a knitting machine and made many items that she shared with the family. She spun and dyed her own yarns and made rag rugs on her loom.

She loved gardening and made homemade juice. She was an excellent cook and bread maker, and for many years she made a Finnish specialty, “squeaky” cheese, to sell at the Scandinavian Festival. She loved music and challenged herself by taking piano and guitar lessons. She enjoyed reciting and writing poetry.

She is survived by three daughters, Pirkko Liisa McKamey and her husband, Richard, of Worland, Wyo., Maria Paivikki Turner of Lake Oswego, and Eija Helen Stevenson and her husband, David, of Astoria; seven grandchildren, Christopher Stevenson of Astoria, Kerry Stevenson of Santa Monica, Calif., Ryan Turner and his wife, Shannon, of Lake Oswego, Renee Turner of Seattle, Jeremy McKamey and his wife, Amandalee, of Denver, Jana McKamey of London and Jordan McKamey of Worland; three great-grandchildren, Kyle, Jacob and Charles Turner of Lake Oswego; and numerous nephews and nieces in Finland.

She was preceded in death by six sisters, Hilda Pajala, Liina Katarina Linna, Eva Nissi, Toini Ornberg, Saara Salo, Anna-Liisa Hayrynen; three brothers, Toivo, Jussi and Matti Palo; and a son-in-law, Ritchie M. Turner II.

A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Peace Lutheran Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, 565 12th St., Astoria, OR 97103, or a charity of one’s choice.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com