Michael "Mike" Richard Rinaldo

michael

March 24, 1951 ~ May 11, 2023

Born in: Sterling, Colorado
Resided in: Pueblo, Colorado

Michael “Mike” Richard Rinaldo passed away on May 11, 2023,
at the age of 72. Mike is survived by his wife of 52 years, Anna
(Riesenman) Rinaldo; daughters Nicole (Scott) Cummings of
Pueblo, Colorado and Andria (John) Lopez of Fairbanks, Alaska;
6 grandchildren, Madeline, Sean and Sebastian Cummings,
Fiona, Nolan and Evan Lopez, Sister Linda Taylor (late Skip) of
Sterling, Colorado.  He was preceded in death by his parents,
Louis and Teresa Rinaldo of Sterling, Colorado in-laws Fred and
Helen Riesenman of Denver.
Mike spent his first 50 years in his hometown of Sterling. He was
raised on the family farm purchased by his Italian immigrant
grandparents, Sebastiano and Amebela Rinaldo. They made a
lifetime impression on him with their strong work ethic and warm,
friendly nature. He was strongly connected to the land and had a
deep and spiritual respect for nature and Native American culture.
He often walked with his eyes to the ground, searching for fossils,
arrow heads, and anything that caught his watchful eye.
Mike attended St. Anthony’s High School in Sterling where he
formed his independent and playful rebellious streak.  He
attended Northeastern Junior College and the University of
Northern Colorado. It was in high school that he met Anna and
they married in 1971 in Vail, Colorado.  He was a beloved
member of the extended Riesenman family.
Mike made his own way by forming his business in the HVAC and
Refrigeration industry and affectionately earned the nickname
“MikeGyver”. His business gave Mike numerous opportunities to
meet new people, some of whom became lifelong friends,
including Pat Henrikson. He retired in 2018 after 35 years in
business, walking away without a regret.
Living in Pueblo gave him access to the mountains that he loved;
hiking and exploring the many peaks of Southern Colorado. He
enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with his family and

friends. He was a longtime member of the El Pueblo chapter of
the Colorado Mountain Club.
Mike was known for his calm and easy-going manner and never
failed pass on his wisdom and love to his family. He enjoyed
searching for meaning through literature and his other love,
music. He was known as “Poppi” to his grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1-4 p.m. on June 17, 2023,
at the Goodpasture Barn, 7970 Hwy 78, Beulah, Colorado.
Memorial donations can be made to the El Pueblo chapter of the
Colorado Mountain Club or the Sangre de Cristo Hospice.

Services

Life Celebration: June 17, 2023 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Goodpasture Barn
7970 Highway 78
Beulah, CO 81023


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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Dear Anna, Nicole, Andrea and family – Dave and I wanted to say that the honor has been all ours to know and love Mike. We cherish the time we got to spend with him and you all. Dave often talks about how Mike saw something in him that he didn’t see himself, and that means more than just about anything. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for all the time and all the knowledge he shared with us but particularly Dave. It is hard to imagine where we would be if not for Mike – unselfishly caring for us all. You have an amazing and wonderful family that will carry Mike’s memory forward and continue caring for each other just like Mike showed us how to do. We are better for having known Mike, blessed to be apart of your family. We will always and forever in your debt and we love you always. Lulu bird and Dave

    • LuLu! Having you and Dave, Ian, Bridgett and Kevin here with us was such a gift for us!
      We love you all and want you to know that Mike was much more appreciative of having Dave with us while working his rear end off than you will ever know….It was Dave that had his mind open and wanting a change that made Dave so successful….Love you all
      Anna

  2. Dear Anna, Andria and Nicole,
    I have so many fond memories of being a part of your family while growing up: from eating Anna’s amazing spaghetti dinners, to boating at the reservoir and going to the river so Mike could take pictures for Anna to later paint. You were always so kind to include me, and every memory I have is wrapped in a lot of laughter and fun!

    I’ll never forget when he took Andria, Nicole and I to the farm on a snow day with a black innertube/tire tied to the back of his truck and drove us around and around. The most fun near-death experience of my early years for sure!
    Or after you redesigned your basement and Andria and I would sit down there with him while he played Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” on repeat, stopping to explain each worldly event that Billy mentioned in the song and the significance to where we were as a human race because of those events. How about the advice he gave you, Andria—never date a guy who has a bottle opener on his keychain! HAHAHA!

    I have about a million more memories like these. I hope the three of you find comfort knowing he was loved and will be missed by everyone who knew him. I will think of him often.

    Love,
    Becky

    • Becky! Thanks for bringing up such great memories!! We received such a beautiful, large bouquet of amazing flowers…I am looking at them right now. It was just such a wonderful surprise to have your mom with us on Saturday! Love you all
      Anna

  3. Anna and family,
    Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. 🙏❤️

    Jeanne Klemt (Andersen)

  4. Did many things in high school.he was a friend of the whole family. Built a dune buggy with the help of his dad
    Will miss him

  5. So sorry Anna. I keep my memories of you and Mike close to my heart. Prayers for you and your family.

  6. Anna, So sorry. Still hold memories of all of you close to my heart. Prayers for you and family. Becky

  7. Nicole and family,
    So sorry for your great loss. Nicole, your Dad sounded like an amazing man. Never to be replaced.
    Sending prayers and good thoughts!🙏💙
    Ray and Kathleen Mattarocci

  8. Dear Anna, Nicole, Andria and Family members…
    What a lovely obituary and oh so accurate! Mike was Jack of many Talents and a Master at Most whether that be his mechanical aptitude, being a wine and coffee connoisseur, an avid hiker, or a creative prankster! Sterling Family summer reunions hold special memories… a big picnic on the farm with immediate and extended family, seeing a new tractor, going fishing. At one, Mike and cousin Gordon came rolling in driving a mud buggy they’d fabricated out of several old vehicles. It was either then or at another gathering when Mike remarked that he was taking refrigeration technology classes because he felt he could create such a business for the needs of northeastern Colorado. He did just that, successfully!
    Mike was truly a Renaissance Man, a loving husband and devoted family man for which you all will hold many memories so dear.
    With our thoughts and love… Carey & Chris Scheberle

  9. We love you all…I never missed a chance to see Louie and Teresa and Linda at the shop…kept up on Mike and then had we met Andria in Grand Junction…Dr. Lopez was my Dr…I am so Blessed with my relationship with “Uncle OLIE” Thank you Rinaldos for letting Dianne Griffith be a part of your family.

  10. Dear Anna, Nicole, Andria, sister Linda, & Extended Family, we are so very sorry for your loss. Mike will be missed by so many of us. Nothing impressed him so much as the sight of an eagle soaring overhead. One of Mike’s favorite quotes was this one (by the Lakota holy man Black Elk): “Our thoughts should rise as high as the eagle flies.” Indeed, may our thoughts and prayers soar up into the blue sky and be with you all. With Love and Sympathy, Tim & Rosi Kloberdanz in Dakota Land

    • Tim-
      When we were looking for a site for his memorial we noticed an eagle in the field and we knew it was place my dad wanted.
      I am so touched that you included that memory of my dad being impressed by eagles.
      Nicole

    • Tim and Rosie
      Reading your condolences gave me both chills and tears. Your friendship Mike was such a positive influence throughout his life. When we saw that eagle in the prairie grass I knew it was Mike that brought us to that sight.
      Thank you, Anna

  11. Anna, Nicole, Andria and the spouses & grandkids, I know how much he will be missed… gone much too soon! Keep your memories close and smile they’re yours to keep. When I think of Mike? Great smile and laughter… Treasured Riesenman family member, love to all❣️

  12. I am so sorry for your loss. If Nicole is any indication of how special a father, grandfather, brother, son, he was in the world, then he was a fine man indeed! I pray the God of all comfort bring you peace. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

  13. Anna,Nicole and Andria , there are no words to express how sorry I am . Mike was an amazing man every one loved him …

  14. Mike was indeed one of the good ones, and one of a kind! What a wonderful husband, father. Poppi and friend. He was such a special member of the Riesenman family, loved so very much. He will be missed but never forgotten 💕

  15. Mike was a childhood friend and his and my family had many outings together. My parents and his were friends and part of the Sterling Italian farming community. I remember fishing in the Rinaldo pond in the summer. Anna please accept my condolences. Mike was one of the very good ones,

    • Thank you, Tony, for remembering Mike in such a connected way to your family. Many great memories in Sterling, High School and oh, yes! fishing in those ponds.
      I treasure them.

  16. Anna, we all love Mike so much, he was the 2nd brother-in-law added to our vast family and loved by so many nieces nephews and great nieces & nephews. He will always be in our thoughts, prayers & hearts for eternity. Love you so much.

  17. Nicole and family,
    Sorry to hear about your Dad. Sending prayers and hugs to all your family.
    Bev Kochevar


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