John C. Luoto Sr, 92 of Thief River Falls, MN, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2011 at Sanford Hospital, Thief River Falls, MN.

A graveside service will be held at the Finish Lutheran Cemetery, Middle River, MN at a later date.

John C Luoto Sr. was born on December 14, 1918 in Hibbing, MN, to John and Olga Luoto. He was raised on a farm near Middle River, MN. He was in the trucking business a few years, but was a welder and mechanic most of his life.

He liked reading, crossword puzzles and traveling.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn; daughter Sharon Luoto, Bellingham, WA; sons, John C. Luoto Jr., Thief River Falls, MN, and David (Ruth) Luoto of Lowell, NC; sister Sylvia (Bob) Clark, Corning, CA; sister-in-law Elaine Luoto, Roseau, MN; brother-in-law Carl Roseland, New Hope, MN and many nieces, nephew and grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers Richard and Martin; 2 sisters Karina Mickelson and Rosalie Chase.