Eleanor 'Ellie' Rynda

Eleanor "Ellie" Cecilia Rynda, age 83 of Montgomery, died Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at The Lodge in Elko, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, September 12 at the funeral home. Visitation will continue on Tuesday morning one hour prior to Mass at the funeral home in Montgomery. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

Ellie was born on September 9, 1932 to Theodore Anton and Florence (Becker) Rynda in Lanesburgh Twp., MN. She grew up on her family farm in Montgomery. She attended country school in Lanesburgh Twp., and graduated from St. Raphael School and Montgomery High School in Montgomery. Ellie received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota and then her Masters of Arts Degree from Michigan State University. Ellie was a Health Physical Education and Recreation professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth for 30 years. She was the first woman to coach men's track and field and cross country at the university level in our country in 1968. She was also the founder of the University of Minnesota Duluth Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Program.

Ellie was a member of the U of M Women's Physical Education Alumnae Association; she received the award for excellence in teaching and leadership. She was a member of the U of M Duluth Hall of Fame, The NSIC (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) Hall of Fame, the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Hall of Fame and the North Shore Striders Hall of Fame.
She enjoyed teaching, coaching, gardening, running, skiing, reading and volunteering.

Ellie is survived by her siblings,
Lloyd (Geraldine) Rynda of Montgomery
Joyce Korbel of Lonsdale
Milo (Carolyn) Rynda of New Prague
And Giles Rynda of Hastings;
sister-in-law, Shirley Rynda;
nieces and nephews,
Brian (Rose) Rynda, Francis (Theresa) Rynda,
Richard (Ann) Rynda, Lyle (Ann) Rynda,
Jeanie (John) Stocker,
Diane (Shane) Drefcinski, Gerald (Patricia) Rynda,
Daniel (Michelle) Rynda, Susan (Gerald) Schmitz,
Dorothy (Lee) Kopp, Edith (Kevin) Armenti,
Kathy (Mike) Grissom, Joe (Karen) Korbel,
Carol (Troy) David and Amy (Tim) Oberg;

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Theodore and Christina (Chalupa) Rynda and Adolph and Anna (Wacker) Becker; parents, Theodore and Florence (Becker) Rynda; brother, Carl Rynda; and brother-in-law, Milton Korbel.

Arrangements are with the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. 507-364-7929. www.schoenbauerfuneralhome.com.