Ellen Autio

Ellen Louise Autio, 68

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Ellen Louise Autio, 68, of Mullan, Idaho, passed away August 31, 2016 at Kootenai Health of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.  She was born February 29, 1948 in Wallace, Idaho; Ellen was the daughter of Harold and Daisy (Lipe) Durfee.
Ellen attended and graduated from the Mullan High School in 1966.  She had also attended the North Idaho College.  Ellen has lived in the Silver Valley all of her life.

Ellen married her childhood sweetheart, David O. Autio on August 12, 1967, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Mullan.

Ellen had first worked at the Citizens Utility Company office of Wallace.  She then went to work for the East Shoshone Hospital of Silverton, the Hecla Mining Company and Day Mines and had lastly worked as office manager for the Silver Wood Good Samaritan Society of Silverton for twenty-five years.  Ellen retired on February 29, 2012.
Ellen was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Mullan, Idaho.

Ellen loved and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren who meant the world to her and she so adored.  In earlier years, Ellen enjoyed camping. She also enjoyed sewing and had made her own beautiful wedding dress.  Ellen also enjoyed watching sports with David and watching their grandchildren participate in their sports games.  After retirement, David and Ellen enjoyed traveling to Tucson and Sun City, Arizona, the Grand Canyon, Mexico, and a special cruise to the Bahamas.  They also took a trip to Seattle with their grandsons to watch the Mariners play.  David and Ellen also enjoyed traveling to Southern Idaho to see family.

Ellen is survived by her beloved husband of forty-nine years David Autio of the family home of Mullan; two daughters Marla (James) Trogden of Mullan and Natalie (Ross) Farrell of St. Maries, Idaho; two grandsons Riley and Alex Trogden and one grandchild on the way and due on January 17, 2017; six brothers Harold (Karen) Durfee of Mullan, Idaho, Paul Durfee of Anchorage, Alaska, Randy Durfee of La Center, Washington, John (Kathleen) Durfee of Hudson, Ohio, Mark Durfee of Buhl, Idaho and Brian (Denise) Durfee of West Point, Utah; she is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers Joe and Pete Durfee.

Memorial Services will be held at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Mullan, on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at 12:00 Noon.  A reception and a gathering of family and friends will be held at the Morning Club of Mullan following services; this will be potluck and everyone is welcome.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Silver Wood Good Samaritan Society, P.O. Box 358, Silverton, Idaho 83867 or to the Mullan Community Foundation, P.O. Box 472, Mullan, Idaho 83846.
Ellen was such a loving, kind and thoughtful woman.  She was known for her expressions of love by her cards, words and texting; she would text family and friends daily to tell them she loved them and hoped they would have a good day; her expressions of love will be so dearly missed.
One may sign Ellen’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com
SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES is entrusted with funeral arrangements.