Mary E. Rizzolo

Mary Emily Rizzolo, 87, of Coal Valley, passed away October 11, 2025 at her home, exactly where she wanted to be.

Services are currently pending and will include a funeral Mass at Divine Mercy/St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Colona, IL. Visitation will be at Schroder Mortuary in Colona, with a rosary prior to visitation. Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Colona Food Pantry, Colona Library or Divine Mercy/St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Colona.

Mary was born March 17, 1938 in Moline, Illinois to A. Frank VanHoutte and Mary (VanAcker) VanHoutte. She met her husband Joseph Rizzolo while dancing at the Col Ballroom. He finagled the dance line so he would be paired with her. He was certain she would one day be his wife. They married at St. Patrick’s Church, Colona, IL on June 6, 1964. Joe preceded her in death February 18, 2006.

Mary graduated from Orion High School, Orion, Illinois in 1955, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Western Illinois University in 1959. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Education from University of Illinois in 1964.

Mrs. Rizzolo retired in 2001 from Orion Middle School where she was Librarian and Teacher for 28 years. Prior to Orion, she taught for 10 years in the Moline School District (Roosevelt and Horace Mann Schools) as well as substituted at Colona Grade School and Briar Bluff School, Colona, IL.

Mary was a member of Divine Mercy/St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Colona where she was a Lector and Eucharist Minister for many years and was involved with St. Martha’s Altar & Rosary Circle.

Mary was a true farm girl all her life, building a house down the road from where she grew up. She loved to watch the seasons of planting, growing, and harvesting as well as visit the bison a few roads over and go on nightly deer runs. When she could no longer drive herself, her daughters and caregivers were able to experience this with her. In her younger years, she loved to tend to flowers and vegetable gardens, pick berries, raise chickens and can/freeze the yield. Mary also enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities and hearing about their accomplishments. She also enjoys putting together puzzles and socializing, as evidenced by her membership in many organizations including the Geneseo Kitchen Band, Colona Library Board (former president), Western Illinois University Alumni, University of Illinois Alumni, Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Rock Island County Retired Teachers Association, State of IL 8 & 40, Orion Legion Auxiliary, Colona and Moline Legion Auxiliary’s (former secretary, treasurer), and Colona Lioness (former).

Mary had a positive attitude and was always eager to help others in need, especially volunteering at and donating to the Colona Food Pantry for many years. She developed this trait early in life delivering food and flowers with her mother to neighbors in their time of need.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Rosemary Rizzolo, Coal Valley, IL, Carol Simpson, Davenport, IA. She has 3 grandchildren Brianna Simpson, Winnebago, IL, Ellie Simpson, Santa Cruz, CA, Alec Simpson, Davenport, IA.

Her surviving brothers are Emil (Bonnie) VanHoutte, Coal Valley, IL, Joe (Linda) VanHoutte, Iowa City, IA formerly Moline, IL; Sisters-in-laws Millie VanHoutte, Moline, IL formerly Colona, IL, Bonnie VanHoutte, Colona, IL and brother-in-law Alfonse Meirhaeghe, Woodhull, IL along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Patricia Meirhaeghe, Woodhull, IL, Francis (Albert) Gelande, East Moline, IL, brothers Frank (Jane) VanHoutte, Moline, IL/LaMirada, CA, Arthur VanHoutte, Colona, IL, John VanHoutte, Colona, IL.

The family would like to thank all of Mary’s caregivers and Compassus Hospice for their loving care.