Marino Louis Rizzardo

Marino Louis Rizzardo, 92, of Montague, CA, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2024, at Madrone Hospice in Yreka. Born on January 9, 1932, at home on the family ranch between Montague and Grenada, Marino lived a full life rooted in family, hard work, and his love for the outdoors.
From an early age, Marino worked alongside his mother, Ernesta, and his three siblings to keep the family ranch running after his father passed away when Marino was just four. The family milked 40 head of cattle by hand, raised pigs, and managed the ranch with the help of Cousin Joe "Ping" Morreto. At the age of 24, on October 9, 1956, Marino was drafted into the Army. Upon his return from service, his mother had sold the family ranch. Following this, he found work at a dry kiln in Montague and later took a job as a millwright and warehouse foreman at the Klamath Molding Mill. In 1966, he joined the bridge crew at the Siskiyou County Road Department, where he worked until his retirement in 1994.
Marino married Nola Wheeler on April 18, 1964. Together, they built their family home and raised their three children just a mile from where he was born. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before his passing.
An avid outdoorsman, Marino enjoyed hunting-whether for large game or waterfowl-and cherished annual hunting trips to the Marble Mountains. He also loved fishing, camping, and working with his beloved quarter horses. His skills in fixing almost anything were well known, and he was always eager to help family and friends. Marino was a 4-H leader, mentored senior projects, and was an active member of the Greenhorn Grange, Yreka Clay Birds, and the NRA.
Marino's greatest pride and joy came from his role as a grandfather. He adored his grandchildren, Blakeley and Devin, he made them the center of his world. He was deeply involved in their lives, always offering support, wisdom, and unconditional love. Whether it was attending their school events, sharing stories of his life, or teaching them how to fix things, Marino's dedication to his grandchildren was unwavering. He cherished every moment spent with them, creating memories they will hold dear for a lifetime. His love and guidance shaped their lives, and his presence will forever be missed by all who knew him but never forgotten.
Marino was preceded in death by his parents, Marino Vittore and Ernesta Matilda Rizzardo; brothers John (and his wife Edna) and Mario (and his wife Vera) Rizzardo; sister Terislla (Rizzardo) Precie (and her husband Mike); nephews Ernie and Louis "Louie" Rizzardo; niece Diana (Precie) Tavares.
He is survived by his loving wife Nola; daughter and son-in-law Nadine and Jamie Hittson; son Glen Rizzardo; daughter Dena Rizzardo; grandchildren Blakeley Hittson and Devin Griffin as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.
A memorial graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Evergreen Cemetery in Yreka, followed by a reception at the Best Western Miner's Inn Convention Center in Yreka. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Madrone Hospice (255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097) or Yreka Clay Birds (benefiting youth programs) (216 Henig Way, Yreka, CA 96097) in Memory of Marino Rizzardo.