Julie A. Rizzio, age 62, of Reedsburg, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, following a courageous seven-year battle with cancer. She was born on August 21, 1962, in Kenosha, WI, the daughter of Larry and Karen Young. Julie was a member of the Salem Central High School class of 1980.  On May 21, 1997, she was united in marriage to her love, Patrick M. Rizzio. In 2001, she and her family moved to Reedsburg. During the last 20 years, Julie loved working with children. She worked at Renewal Unlimited, My Place, and ran her own in-home daycare, Lil' Nicks Playhouse.  She eventually decided to become a stay-at-home mom and Nani, focusing on homeschooling her son, and enjoying extra family time.

Family was everything to Julie. Some of her most cherished memories were spent at family gatherings and game nights, filled with endless laughter. Julie also enjoyed anything related to fashion. She loved girls' shopping trips, getting her hair done, and was always the most stylish one in the family. 

Julie can best be described as someone whose warm smile and contagious laugh lit up every room she entered. She will forever be remembered as someone who had a forgiving heart of gold. She always made everyone feel loved and heard, and always cheered for the underdog. She had an unwavering faith and fought every trial with inspiring strength. Anyone who was blessed to know Julie knows she gave the biggest, most genuine hugs. Even her mother, who she spent almost every day with, received a big hug and a kiss on the cheek—followed by two every time she left—without fail. She loved everyone with an unmatched love.

Julie was a bright, vibrant light, fittingly, with her favorite color being orange. She cherished her favorite times by the water, enjoying the sun shining and sunsets that always excited her. 

She was preceded in death by her son, Nicholas Saul Rizzio, on January 23, 2023—a reunion that had to be spectacular. She was also preceded in death by her father, Larry Young; father-in-law, David Pedro; and niece, Danielle Puchalski.

Julie is survived by her husband, Patrick; her mother, Karen Young; mother-in-law, Anna Pedro; her daughter: Amanda (Tyler) Rugg. Step children; Ashlee Rizzio (Alex), Tiffani Rizzio, and Patrick Jr. (Terra) Rizzio; her grandchildren: Aevah, Gabby, Sebastian, Elinor, Anna, Gabriel, Daniel, Dylan, Liam, Dominic, Dante, and Sylvia; her great-grandchildren: Mateo and Arya; her brother, Mark Young; her sister, Elizabeth (Marc) Coleman; sister-in-law, Harmony (Dave) Puchalski; nieces and nephews: Kara Imhoff and children: Addyson and William; Rachel (Tom) Peters and  children: Timothy, Natalia and Wyatt; Tim Kuhart (Aleka) and child, James; Chase (Isabella) Vernezze; and Jianna (Bobby) Puchalski. She is also survived by Wyatt Stoddard, someone she considered another son, along with many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of Julie's life will be held at a later date.