Melvin Rautio

Melvin “Mel” Rautio was born on April 14, 1936 in Kettle River, Minnesota to Oscar and Matilda (Karaniemi) Rautio. He graduated from Sebeka High School with the Class of 1955. After high school Mel enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served for four years.

Mel was united in marriage to Sharon Rebuck on February 11, 1961 in New York Mills, Minnesota.  Their marriage was blessed with four children: Lori, Pamela, Robert and Mitchell. He had his own TV repair business in the Karvonen Furniture Store. They moved to the Twin Cities and Mel took a job with Control Data. His job started as a trouble shooter where he would fly around the country fixing super computers. After 13 years with Control Data, Mel and Sharon purchased the bowling alley in New York Mills. Mel was an avid bowler, participating in multiple leagues and tournaments throughout the years. Mel and Sharon ran the bowling alley for many years. Many people remember their good times spent at the Mills Lanes.

Mel was always working at different things. He spent time helping Jerry Imdieke with electrical work, spraying for Leaf River Ag and doing a variety of work with Bob Carlson and Steve Johnson. He enjoyed them all!

He also enjoyed bow hunting, fishing and water skiing in his younger days. In recent years he loved to shoot pool with the guys on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week at the Senior Center.

On September 9, 2020 Mel passed away at his home at 84 years of age.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceding Mel in death were his parents, Oscar and Matilda Rautio; siblings: Oscar (Anita) Rautio; Henry Rautio; Sylvia Heikkula; Alice (Archie) Heikkula and Ernie Rautio.

Melvin is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Rautio of New York Mills; children: Lori (Rich) Murdock of Henning; Pamela (Jeff) Haverland of Perham; Robert Rautio of New York Mills; and Mitchell (Janna) Rautio of Bemidji; grandchildren: Shelby (Mark) Speckien; Mike Paavola; Nicole (Blaine) Hardy; Kayla (Justin) Keil; Ty Haverland; Ryan Rautio; Nicholas Rautio and Matthew Rautio; great-grandchildren: Ogden Speckien; Griffin Hardy; Easton Keil and Jay Keil; sister: Ailie Calvary; sisters-in-law: B Ann Rautio; Mary Rautio and Marge Jones; brothers-in-law: Dave Jones and Art Heikkula; many other relatives and a host of friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin Rautio, please visit our floral store.