Thomas Autio

Thomas (Tom) Arne Autio, 77, of Cloquet, passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the Minnesota Veteran's Home in Silver Bay after a very long battle with Parkinsons with his loving wife, Caryl, by his side.

Tom was born in Moose Lake, Minnesota, on July 4th, 1948, to Arne and Melba (Layon) Autio. He was raised in Scanlon and while attending Cloquet high school he worked as a custodian at the City National Bank.

After graduation from Cloquet in 1966, he worked a short time at Potlatch as a vacation replacement in the Beater room. He quit potlatch to attend the MN Technical Institute to study Mechanical Drafting in 1967 while working at Elk River Concrete Products. In April 1968 he enlisted in the army, receiving his basic training at Fort Cambell, Kentucky, and his military police training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. In the fall of 1968, he shipped out to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, where he served 14 months as an MP providing convoy escorts through the jungle and confiscating a good amount of weed.

In December 1969, he was discharged from the army. Tom returned to work at Elk River Concrete Products (Cretex) in the spring of 1970, where he worked for 40 years as the mixer man for the concrete pipe manufacturer until his retirement in June of 2010.

On July 16, 1977, Tom married Caryl Halverson of Mahtowa. In 1978, they built their home in Scanlon where they raised two fine sons, Drew and Jared. Tom was a great dad and very proud of his sons and literally beamed when he was told in more recent years that he was going to be a grandpa!

He enjoyed many hobbies such as stamp and coin collecting, hunting, camping, and fishing as well as collecting antiques. He loved classic cars and car shows and was a member of The Nifty Fifties Car Club for a time. Though he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, he loved music, especially classic rock and roll.

Most of all, Tom loved spending time with family and friends. He loved joking, teasing, and visiting. Almost every weekend, time was spent at the old Autio family farm near Lawler grouse hunting, crappy fishing at Sheriff Lake, snowmobiling, and ATV riding. He was always willing to lend a helping hand if needed. You will never find a kinder, gentler man.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Caryl; sons, Drew Autio of Superior, WI, and Jared (Brittney) Autio of Scanlon; grandsons, Ashton and Jamison Autio also of Scanlon; three nephews; and multiple great nephews and nieces.

The family would like to express deep gratitude to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Silver Bay for all the wonderful care and support provided to Tom and all his loved ones.

Thank you also to Essentia Hospice.

A service will be held at Atkins-Northland Funeral Home on Friday, December 12, 2025. Service will begin at 2, with visitation one hour prior, with fellowship and light refreshments to follow.