Geraldine A. "Jeri" Rizzuto

In Loving Memory of Geraldine A. “Jeri” Rizzuto

Jeri Rizzuto gracefully completed her life's canvas on July 8, 2024. She leaves behind a legacy that resonates through her paintings, singing voice, business skills, and the enduring love and music of her four daughters and 11 grandchildren. Her life’s work was full of faith and full of feminine flare, beautifying everything she touched.

Born the fifth of six children to Roy and Anthonette Suiter in Council Bluffs, Iowa in the Big Band Era, Jeri’s journey was marked by a profound passion for the arts.

After moving to Omaha, attending Cathedral grade school, Cathedral high school, and Creighton University, Jeri embarked on a remarkable journey, singing and touring with prominent big bands and jazz bands in Omaha and throughout the Midwest, including the well-known Paul Moorhead Orchestra. She eventually garnered a recording deal with Mercury Records out of Chicago, releasing a self-penned 2-sided single, with her smooth pop-jazz vocals.

All the while, Jeri kept her love of painting and drawing, where her canvas was her haven. She captured the beauty of the world through expressive portraits and serene landscapes. She even took a fun summer job with her beloved sister and best friend Rosemary, in Estes Park, Colorado, painting portraits at the iconic Stanley Park Hotel.

Jeri met the love of her life while attending Creighton University, where she majored in English and Sociology. She married CPA and small business entrepreneur, Frank Rizzuto, and the two of them built a loving home filled with laughter, music, faith and creativity, while raising their four daughters. 

Jeri instilled her passion for music in each of her daughters, whom inherited her gift. When her fourth daughter was born, she declared, “I have a quartet!” Jeri gave her all to her quartet, providing piano, voice, tap, ballet, and acting lessons, driving them countless hours, and helping to craft shows and tours for her girls. Those girls eventually formed the Top 25 Billboard chart topping group, Mulberry Lane, who toured the US, Europe and Japan. Jeri’s devotion to her daughters was unwavering, guiding them with warmth and wisdom, as they followed in her musical footsteps.

But Jeri found her greatest joy in home and family life. Together, Frank and Jeri ran several small businesses and enjoyed dining out, dancing, hosting parties, and traveling to watch their daughters’ performances. Jeri and her daughters loved talking, shopping, making plans, and often found themselves laughing until they cried at funny things. Frank and Jeri gave their daughters four beautiful weddings with at-home backyard receptions, complete with white tents with chandeliers. Jeri’s gift of planning events and making them extra special, always shined through.

Beyond her artistic and business skills, Jeri was cherished for her kind spirit, beautiful laugh, generous heart, and strong yet quiet faith. She loved the color pink. Always a lady, Jeri never told her age (and that is why you don’t see her date of birth on this). She touched many lives with her gentle demeanor, and was known as a gracious hostess of Christmas Eve parties, full of unique touches such as peppermint punch and hot spiced wine, leaving an indelible impression on those who felt the joy of knowing her. 

Jeri Rizzuto’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of her family and friends, and especially in the hearts of her four daughters. Yet, her legacy will endure through her paintings and drawings, the echoes of her melodious voice and laugh, the enduring bond with her family, her wisdom and good-decision making skills, and in the musical talent of her daughters and grandchildren. But perhaps her greatest legacy will endure through her faith she lived and passed down, and in her guidance to her daughters to always be kind to each other and to all others, and to forgive each other, and get-along.

May her soul rest in the glory of eternal peace, and may perpetual light shine upon her (a pink-hued perpetual light!)… surrounded by the beauty she so lovingly created and shared with the world, given to her by our Heavenly Father.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 50 years, Frank Rizzuto; siblings, Rosemary Anderson, Bobra Harris, Roy Suiter, William Suiter and Jim Suiter. Survived by her adoring daughters, Jaymie (Mike) Schilken, Rachel (Scott) Gilliand, Heather (Bryan) Schneider, Allie (David) Hengen; and granddaughters Kelli Schilken, Lily (Ryan) Gillam and Willow Gilliland, Giselle Schneider and Clover Hengen; and grandsons Michael and Andrew Schilken, Cole and Casey Gilliland, Winston Schneider, and Luke Hengen; sisters-in-law, Catherine Vescio and Patricia Suiter; her extended family and many good friends.

MASS of Christian Burial Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 1:00pm at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church with interment in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. The mass will be livestreamed at https://heartstreaming.link/jeri-rizzuto-mass 

VISITATION with the family begins Friday, July 12, 2024, at 5:00pm at the 72nd Street Chapel with a WAKE service at 7:00pm. The wake will be livestreamed at https://heartstreaming.link/jeri-rizzuto-wake 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Charities of Omaha.

Forever remembered. Forever loved. Forever cherished.