Raili Annikki Rautio

Raili A. Rautio, 89, of Kinney, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Waterview Pines in Virginia, Minnesota.

She was born in Nivala, Finland on December 11, 1934 and was the second oldest of a family of sixteen kids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reino and Henna (Paakko) Laakkonen; her husband, Weikko; her daughter-in-law, Lynn; and her siblings: Aili, Anja, Mauri, Martti, Rauno, Terttu, Mikko, Ahti, and Kyosti.

She is survived by her siblings: Veino, Kaisa, Rauha, Mauno, Matti, Tapio; her two sons, Leo (Theresa) Rautio, and Larry Rautio; her grandchildren: Nicolle (Geoff), Gage (Cheyenne), Connor, and Olivia; her great-grandchildren: Ayden, Jordan, Arlo; and numerous nieces and nephews in Finland.

In 1955, she ventured to the United States to stay at her Aunt’s farm in Angora, MN working miscellaneous jobs.

Raili married Weikko Rautio on July 25th, 1959 in Virginia, MN. Raili and Weikko lived in Kinney, MN where they raised their two sons, Leo and Larry. Raili was known for creating one of the most beautiful houses in Kinney, with her colorful plants, gardens, and decorations. You could often see clothes hanging on the line as Raili washed all their laundry by hand and would always iron out any wrinkle. Raili loved hosting parties, cooking food for people, hauling wood for the sauna, and she always kept a spotless clean house. Raili was one of the hardest workers, working from the moment she woke up to the moment she went to sleep. She always enjoyed her time spent at the family cabins, especially her sister Rauha’s cabin on Elbow Lake.

Raili’s Finnish Sisu of having a hard work ethic, resiliency, and strength has been passed down to her sons and grandkids. She made an impact on many lives and will be forever missed.

We would like to thank all the caregivers, nurses, doctors, and staff at the places that took care of her; including Columbia, Edgewood Vista, Waterview Pines, and the area hospitals.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Senior Center in Buhl, Minnesota.

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