Gladys "Dolly" Arnio Rizzi, 90, peacefully left this world the morning of July 11, 2023, at Clearwater Senior Living in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dolly came into this world on a cool autumn Friday, October 7, 1932, in Buffalo, South Dakota. She was the first daughter of Arnold and Hazel Arnio and the oldest of eleven children. At an early age, Dolly began helping her father tend to the horses on the family ranch and developed a deep love for the ranching lifestyle and the joys of horseback riding. During World War II, the family moved to Seattle, Washington where her mother and father worked at Boeing building B-17 and B-29 bombers. Dolly helped the family and the war effort by helping raise her four younger brothers and six younger sisters. After the war, her family returned to the Black Hills of South Dakota where her father opened a sawmill. This was a pivotal time in Dolly's life in which she discovered her lifelong passion of caring for young children. This led to a career of teaching, which she did for 38 years after attending Black Hills State Teachers College in Spearfish, South Dakota. It was there she met the love of her life, Leo Rizzi. Dolly's eyes would sparkle when she told the story of watching Leo play his trumpet in the Homestake band. It was love at first sight, and they wed on August 11, 1956. They moved to Casper, Wyoming, and began a family. This was where she and Leo both taught school. Dolly spent most of her teaching career surrounded by kindergarteners who adored her. She touched so many lives, and after her retirement in 1995, many of her former students stayed in contact with her. She and Leo returned to Spearfish, South Dakota where they lived until Leo died in 2004. Dolly remained in Spearfish until moving to Phoenix in December 2021 where her daughter Christine resides.

Dolly cherished her Finnish heritage and traveled to Finland frequently to visit family and friends.  She had a passion for traveling and often said, "If you have an opportunity to go somewhere, go!" She loved life and had many hobbies which included playing bridge, horseback riding, sewing, playing with her treasured dogs, and baking. Dolly's pies were second to none and her cookie jar was always full.

Dolly was a beloved mother, and she and Leo raised four children: Timothy, Denver, Colorado, Mark (Vickie), Casper, Wyoming, Christine (Richard), Phoenix, Arizona, and Amy (Shawn), Jackson, Wyoming. She has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that all adored her and will miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her husband, mother, father, sisters Deb and Dede, and brother Arnie.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 1 pm on October 6, 2023, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD followed by a burial at 2:30 pm at Black Hills National Cemetary. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dolly's name to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1020 State Street, Spearfish, South Dakota 57783 (www.oslcspearfish.com) or an animal charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com