Time stopped on Sunday, September 29, 2024 as Ingeborg Rizzo took her last breath and embarked into eternity. She left behind the broken hearts of her children, Mike Rizzo, Judy Nelson, and Andy Rizzo, as well as her grandchildren, Brittany Carson, Kristina Furnas, Jessica Nelson, and Nicole Nelson and three great-grandchildren, Hannah Carson, Beau Furnas, and Amelia Moore. Preceding her in death by 34 years was her husband, Salvatore Rizzo.

Inge had a very troubled childhood, growing up in multiple orphanages in Germany during WWII. These difficulties impacted her entire life, creating in her the feistiness and firm resilience that marked her personality and made her so memorable to all who met her. She was brutally honest and unfailingly generous. That tough exterior hid a very frail, sometimes frightened little girl that we got glimpses of during the last 5 years of her life in her battle with dementia. Inge survived WWII as a child and ovarian cancer at 72.

In her 60’s, Inge took up watching Football and was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, following the schedule and watching every game. While not a musician, she had an ear for music and would frequently comment (correctly) on bands and band members practicing at the house. She loved Heino, Andre Rieu, and Elvis Presley, but also enjoyed and appreciated Johnny Cash, Journey, Queen, and Ozzy Osbourne. She loved the color red and her favorite bird was the cardinal. In later life, she had a fondness of owls and began to favor blue.

In 2019, Inge was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia after a severe UTI that left her hospitalized for 4 days. During the last 5 years of her life, she became a little girl again and, as hard as it was to watch that deterioration, it gave her children and grandchildren a glimpse into the little girl she must have been. There were so many incredibly sweet moments in that time that left a lasting impression on everyone. Her family got to experience the adult independent Inge and the confused child Inge and both of them were loved tremendously.

Inge lived with her son and daughter-in-law for over 30 years and when she took her last breath at 90, it was at home. Though unexpected and devastating for those left behind, she was spared the further deterioration, confusion, anxiety, stress, and pain she experienced during her time with dementia and, for that, we are grateful.

Inge will be remembered by many as that feisty German with a heart of gold. She was not perfect and not even stereotypical. She was unique, strong, generous, and flawed. She was loved for exactly who she was. She will be fiercely missed and always remembered. Rest in Peace, mom, and may all your hurts be healed now. We will see you soon.

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