Mario Aldo Rizzardo

1923 - 2011

Mario Aldo Rizzardo, 88, passed away Sept. 29, 2011, peacefully at Madrone Hospice in Yreka, Calif. He had been ill for two and a half years and Vera, his wife of 64 years, took excellent care of him in their home.
Born to Marino Vittore and Ernesta Matilda Rizzardo (who, together, immigrated from Northern Italy) on April 21, 1923, in Weed, Calif. When Mario was 9 months old, the family moved to the ranch on Montague/Grenada Road. When Mario was only 12 years old, his father Marino passed away at the age of 39. Ernesta and their four children milked 40 head of cows by hand, raised pigs and managed to keep the ranch operating with help from a cousin Joe "Ping" Morreto. At age 16, Mario began "spotting" cattle from Mr. Beaunda, an Italian friend who had a dairy in Los Angeles, Calif.
In 1942, as a senior in high school, he purchased the Layton Ranch across the road from the family ranch. In 1947, he married Vera Deas, had three children and continued on with the dairy tradition. He also worked for Pacific Packing Company (Bob Eiler) in Gazelle, Calif. for seven and a half years. He was a buyer for Alpine Meats (Larry Yonker) for 14 years and bought and shipped cattle to Orland Livestock Commission Yard (Bo and Ed Lacque) for 50 years. Mario also bought and shipped cattle throughout Siskiyou and Klamath counties for many great ranchers and friends. Many folks have complimented the family on how polite, kind, and honest Mario was to work with.
Besides his wife, children and grandchildren, the other love of his life was hunting. Every year, the family would go hunting out of state, something Mario looked forward to all year. When he wasn't hunting, he enjoyed sitting around the kitchen table with the family to retell and listen to hunting stories. The family will carry on this tradition with Mario looking upon them from heaven.
Mario is survived by his wife Vera; son Ernest (Devanee); granddaughters Stephanie Rizzardo (Kayla, Jerry, Jaiden) and Bethanie Bray who is currently pregnant (Pistol, Brittany); daughter Linda McKoen; grandson Billy Gallagher (Stacey); great-grandsons Will and Wyatt; grandson Ryan Gallagher (Samantha who is currently pregnant); great-grandson Garrett; grandson Chris McKoen (Loralee); son Frank Rizzardo (Jennifer, Emma, Wyatt); grandson Mario Nathan Rizzardo (Jessica); great-granddaughters Cailey and Callin; grandson Stephen Rizzardo (Natalie); great-grandsons Sutter, Tanner, Steele and grandson Kyle Rizzardo (Marissa); great-grandsons Klayton and Kolten; brother Marino Rizzardo (Nola); sister Tersilla Precie (Mike); sisters-in-law Edna Rizzardo and Stella Sutter; and many nieces, nephews and friends he loved dearly. At any given time, any of them could expect a little pinch on the cheek from Mario.
He was predeceased by his father and mother, big brother John Rizzardo, son-in-law Mike McKoen, brother-in-law Marty Sutter, and good friend Sonny Lynn.
Mario was a very important piece of the puzzle that completed the strong Italian community of family that makes up a large part of Siskiyou County. He will be missed greatly … his memories will stay with us always.
Services will be held Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Yreka with rosary at 10:30 a.m. and mass at 11 a.m. and a potluck to follow at Montague Community Hall.
Donations can be made to your favorite charity or Madrone Hospice House, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka.
Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka is in charge of the arrangements for Mario and his family. To view the entire obituary or make online condolences, go to www.girdnerfuneralchapel.com