Valio Kalle Rautio

Kalle Valio Rautio,
age 93, a longtime Astoria resident, died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, at home. He was born June 23, 1917, in Ruotsalo, Finland, to Kalle and Hilma Rautio. He was the eldest of six children. Educated in Finland, he spent his childhood and early adult years on the family farm. He was an athlete, excelling in gymnastics and skiing. He began compulsory military service in 1939, and served until 1946 as a sergeant in the Finnish Army during the Winter War and Continuation War on the eastern and northern fronts of Finland. Upon returning home, he met Elsa Palo of Kälviä Hilli, Finland. They married Dec. 21, 1947. She survives, residing in Astoria. The couple made their home in Ruotsalo. In January 1955, they moved to the U.S. and settled in Astoria. Over the next three decades, Mr. Rautio worked at Pernu's mink ranch, as a cabinetmaker at the Astoria Marine Construction Company and a boat builder at Columbia Boatbuilding, and finally as a mill worker and shareholder at the Astoria Plywood Corporation from 1958-1979 before his retirement. He was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, and was active in Finnish organizations including the Knights of Kaleva, the United Finnish Kaleva Brothers and Sisters (Finnish Brotherhood Lodge of Astoria ), and the Suomi-Seura (Finnish Society). He was also a member of Peace Lutheran Church. He was honored for his military service and at the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in 2005 for helping to construct the original replica of Fort Clatsop in 1955. He obtained U.S. citizenship in 1986. Family members said he was a humble man, but one of many talents. He was a horticulturist, and grew a beautiful garden. An expert carpenter and craftsman, he enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop and constructed the family home he was so proud of. He loved a good joke, a good cup of coffee and good company. He valued hard work and was always ready to lend a hand. He was patient and embodied the word "sisu." In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Liisa and Richard McKamey of Worland, Wyo., Maria Turner of Beaverton and Eija Helen and David Stevenson of Astoria; seven grandchildren, Christopher Stevenson of Astoria, Ryan Turner and his wife, Shannon, of Lake Oswego, Jeremy McKamey and his wife, Amandalee, of Denver, Renée Turner of Seattle, Kerry Stevenson of Santa Monica, Calif., Jana McKamey of Washington, D.C., and Jordan McKamey of Worland; three great grandchildren, Kyle, Jacob and Charles Turner of Lake Oswego; and numerous nephews and nieces in Finland. He was preceded in death by a brother, Esko Rautio; and four sisters, Anniki Nivala, Senni Aho, Siiri Järvi and Elvi Autio, who died Aug. 26. A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Peace Lutheran Church in Astoria. Memorial contributions may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, 565 12th St., Astoria, OR 97103, or the charity of one's choice