Carol Rittenhouse loved PE and the Gophers
The dedicated football fan taught physical education for more 20 years in the Robbinsdale School District.
By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune
Last update: May 6, 2009 - 9:44 PM
Carol Rittenhouse's love for University of Minnesota football and other sports dovetailed with her profession, an elementary school physical education teacher for more than 20 years in the Robbinsdale School District.
Rittenhouse began her career in Robbinsdale as a substitute teacher in 1963. She was hired as a permanent full-time teacher in 1970 and taught at 14 different District 281 schools until she retired in 1989. She taught most recently at Meadow Lake Elementary School in New Hope, where she was known for her love for children and dispensing words of encouragement to her students while getting them involved.
"She was a very organized person, a quality person and willing to go the extra mile," said retired sixth-grade teacher Audrey Walberg, who taught with Rittenhouse at Meadow Lake. "If something came up and a teacher could not bring the class down for gym, Carol would double up a class and make sure everybody got their time. She wanted to make sure it was fair for everybody."
Rittenhouse died April 29 at St. Therese of New Hope of pneumonia and complications from Parkinson's disease. She was 81.
Rittenhouse was born in Minneapolis and graduated from South High School in 1945. She was a salutatorian at Augsburg College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1945. She taught biology in Mora, Minn., for one year, then stepped out of the classroom to raise her two children before going to work as a gym teacher in Robbinsdale, her daughter, Wendy McCourtney, of Brooklyn Park, said.
"She always got everybody involved," said Marian Priest, a retired second-grade teacher at Meadow Lake School. "She loved little kids and loved what she was doing."
Rittenhouse was also a supporter of school activities and the PTA, McCourtney said.
When class was not in session, Rittenhouse was always on the go. She made 17 trips to Europe and visited all 50 states.
"She wanted to go out and do things and not just sit at home," Priest said. "We'd be on a trip and she'd be willing to try anything. She lived a good life."
In addition to holding season tickets for Gophers football, Rittenhouse was a devotee of classical music and often attended concerts at Orchestra Hall. She liked musicals and for many years also had season tickets for the off-Broadway productions that played at the State and Orpheum theaters in downtown Minneapolis.
She also was an avid reader, with westerns and mysteries being her favorite genres, her daughter said.
Rittenhouse was a member of the League of Women Voters and the Augsburg College Alumni. She was a longtime member at Highland Presbyterian Church in north Minneapolis, where she was a deacon and an elder. She also sang in the choir there, McCourtney said.
In addition to her daughter, Rittenhouse is survived by a son, Paul of Richfield; sister, JoAnn Auren of St. Louis Park; four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Rittenhouse, Carol M. Age 81, of New Hope, passed away April 29, 2009 after a 23 year struggle with Parkinsons. Preceded in death by parents, Martin and Anna Brekken; husband, Donald; and sister, Muriel Ondich. She will be missed by son, Paul (Joy); daughter, Wendy McCourtney (Michael); granddaughters, Megan Chamberlain, Kellie McCourtney, Greta and Heidi Rittenhouse; sister, JoAnn Auren (Mel); nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Graduate of Mpls. South High School (1945) and Augsburg College (1949). Retired teacher of Robbinsdale School District 281. Special thanks to her caregivers of St. Therese. Memorials are preferred to St. Therese Foundation, North Hospice or Struther's Parkinson Center. Interment Glen Haven. Visitation 4-7 PM Sunday and one hour prior to service. Funeral service 10:30 AM Monday, all at: Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel (763) 533-8643 5125 West Broadway, Crystal
The dedicated football fan taught physical education for more 20 years in the Robbinsdale School District.
By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune
Last update: May 6, 2009 - 9:44 PM
Carol Rittenhouse's love for University of Minnesota football and other sports dovetailed with her profession, an elementary school physical education teacher for more than 20 years in the Robbinsdale School District.
Rittenhouse began her career in Robbinsdale as a substitute teacher in 1963. She was hired as a permanent full-time teacher in 1970 and taught at 14 different District 281 schools until she retired in 1989. She taught most recently at Meadow Lake Elementary School in New Hope, where she was known for her love for children and dispensing words of encouragement to her students while getting them involved.
"She was a very organized person, a quality person and willing to go the extra mile," said retired sixth-grade teacher Audrey Walberg, who taught with Rittenhouse at Meadow Lake. "If something came up and a teacher could not bring the class down for gym, Carol would double up a class and make sure everybody got their time. She wanted to make sure it was fair for everybody."
Rittenhouse died April 29 at St. Therese of New Hope of pneumonia and complications from Parkinson's disease. She was 81.
Rittenhouse was born in Minneapolis and graduated from South High School in 1945. She was a salutatorian at Augsburg College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1945. She taught biology in Mora, Minn., for one year, then stepped out of the classroom to raise her two children before going to work as a gym teacher in Robbinsdale, her daughter, Wendy McCourtney, of Brooklyn Park, said.
"She always got everybody involved," said Marian Priest, a retired second-grade teacher at Meadow Lake School. "She loved little kids and loved what she was doing."
Rittenhouse was also a supporter of school activities and the PTA, McCourtney said.
When class was not in session, Rittenhouse was always on the go. She made 17 trips to Europe and visited all 50 states.
"She wanted to go out and do things and not just sit at home," Priest said. "We'd be on a trip and she'd be willing to try anything. She lived a good life."
In addition to holding season tickets for Gophers football, Rittenhouse was a devotee of classical music and often attended concerts at Orchestra Hall. She liked musicals and for many years also had season tickets for the off-Broadway productions that played at the State and Orpheum theaters in downtown Minneapolis.
She also was an avid reader, with westerns and mysteries being her favorite genres, her daughter said.
Rittenhouse was a member of the League of Women Voters and the Augsburg College Alumni. She was a longtime member at Highland Presbyterian Church in north Minneapolis, where she was a deacon and an elder. She also sang in the choir there, McCourtney said.
In addition to her daughter, Rittenhouse is survived by a son, Paul of Richfield; sister, JoAnn Auren of St. Louis Park; four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Rittenhouse, Carol M. Age 81, of New Hope, passed away April 29, 2009 after a 23 year struggle with Parkinsons. Preceded in death by parents, Martin and Anna Brekken; husband, Donald; and sister, Muriel Ondich. She will be missed by son, Paul (Joy); daughter, Wendy McCourtney (Michael); granddaughters, Megan Chamberlain, Kellie McCourtney, Greta and Heidi Rittenhouse; sister, JoAnn Auren (Mel); nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Graduate of Mpls. South High School (1945) and Augsburg College (1949). Retired teacher of Robbinsdale School District 281. Special thanks to her caregivers of St. Therese. Memorials are preferred to St. Therese Foundation, North Hospice or Struther's Parkinson Center. Interment Glen Haven. Visitation 4-7 PM Sunday and one hour prior to service. Funeral service 10:30 AM Monday, all at: Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel (763) 533-8643 5125 West Broadway, Crystal
Carol Rittenhouse loved PE and the Gophers
The dedicated football fan taught physical education for more 20 years in the Robbinsdale School District.
By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune
Last update: May 6, 2009 - 9:44 PM
Carol Rittenhouse's love for University of Minnesota football and other sports dovetailed with her profession, an elementary school physical education teacher for more than 20 years in the Robbinsdale School District.
Rittenhouse began her career in Robbinsdale as a substitute teacher in 1963. She was hired as a permanent full-time teacher in 1970 and taught at 14 different District 281 schools until she retired in 1989. She taught most recently at Meadow Lake Elementary School in New Hope, where she was known for her love for children and dispensing words of encouragement to her students while getting them involved.
"She was a very organized person, a quality person and willing to go the extra mile," said retired sixth-grade teacher Audrey Walberg, who taught with Rittenhouse at Meadow Lake. "If something came up and a teacher could not bring the class down for gym, Carol would double up a class and make sure everybody got their time. She wanted to make sure it was fair for everybody."
Rittenhouse died April 29 at St. Therese of New Hope of pneumonia and complications from Parkinson's disease. She was 81.
Rittenhouse was born in Minneapolis and graduated from South High School in 1945. She was a salutatorian at Augsburg College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1945. She taught biology in Mora, Minn., for one year, then stepped out of the classroom to raise her two children before going to work as a gym teacher in Robbinsdale, her daughter, Wendy McCourtney, of Brooklyn Park, said.
"She always got everybody involved," said Marian Priest, a retired second-grade teacher at Meadow Lake School. "She loved little kids and loved what she was doing."
Rittenhouse was also a supporter of school activities and the PTA, McCourtney said.
When class was not in session, Rittenhouse was always on the go. She made 17 trips to Europe and visited all 50 states.
"She wanted to go out and do things and not just sit at home," Priest said. "We'd be on a trip and she'd be willing to try anything. She lived a good life."
In addition to holding season tickets for Gophers football, Rittenhouse was a devotee of classical music and often attended concerts at Orchestra Hall. She liked musicals and for many years also had season tickets for the off-Broadway productions that played at the State and Orpheum theaters in downtown Minneapolis.
She also was an avid reader, with westerns and mysteries being her favorite genres, her daughter said.
Rittenhouse was a member of the League of Women Voters and the Augsburg College Alumni. She was a longtime member at Highland Presbyterian Church in north Minneapolis, where she was a deacon and an elder. She also sang in the choir there, McCourtney said.
In addition to her daughter, Rittenhouse is survived by a son, Paul of Richfield; sister, JoAnn Auren of St. Louis Park; four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Rittenhouse, Carol M. Age 81, of New Hope, passed away April 29, 2009 after a 23 year struggle with Parkinsons. Preceded in death by parents, Martin and Anna Brekken; husband, Donald; and sister, Muriel Ondich. She will be missed by son, Paul (Joy); daughter, Wendy McCourtney (Michael); granddaughters, Megan Chamberlain, Kellie McCourtney, Greta and Heidi Rittenhouse; sister, JoAnn Auren (Mel); nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Graduate of Mpls. South High School (1945) and Augsburg College (1949). Retired teacher of Robbinsdale School District 281. Special thanks to her caregivers of St. Therese. Memorials are preferred to St. Therese Foundation, North Hospice or Struther's Parkinson Center. Interment Glen Haven. Visitation 4-7 PM Sunday and one hour prior to service. Funeral service 10:30 AM Monday, all at: Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel (763) 533-8643 5125 West Broadway, Crystal
The dedicated football fan taught physical education for more 20 years in the Robbinsdale School District.
By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune
Last update: May 6, 2009 - 9:44 PM
Carol Rittenhouse's love for University of Minnesota football and other sports dovetailed with her profession, an elementary school physical education teacher for more than 20 years in the Robbinsdale School District.
Rittenhouse began her career in Robbinsdale as a substitute teacher in 1963. She was hired as a permanent full-time teacher in 1970 and taught at 14 different District 281 schools until she retired in 1989. She taught most recently at Meadow Lake Elementary School in New Hope, where she was known for her love for children and dispensing words of encouragement to her students while getting them involved.
"She was a very organized person, a quality person and willing to go the extra mile," said retired sixth-grade teacher Audrey Walberg, who taught with Rittenhouse at Meadow Lake. "If something came up and a teacher could not bring the class down for gym, Carol would double up a class and make sure everybody got their time. She wanted to make sure it was fair for everybody."
Rittenhouse died April 29 at St. Therese of New Hope of pneumonia and complications from Parkinson's disease. She was 81.
Rittenhouse was born in Minneapolis and graduated from South High School in 1945. She was a salutatorian at Augsburg College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1945. She taught biology in Mora, Minn., for one year, then stepped out of the classroom to raise her two children before going to work as a gym teacher in Robbinsdale, her daughter, Wendy McCourtney, of Brooklyn Park, said.
"She always got everybody involved," said Marian Priest, a retired second-grade teacher at Meadow Lake School. "She loved little kids and loved what she was doing."
Rittenhouse was also a supporter of school activities and the PTA, McCourtney said.
When class was not in session, Rittenhouse was always on the go. She made 17 trips to Europe and visited all 50 states.
"She wanted to go out and do things and not just sit at home," Priest said. "We'd be on a trip and she'd be willing to try anything. She lived a good life."
In addition to holding season tickets for Gophers football, Rittenhouse was a devotee of classical music and often attended concerts at Orchestra Hall. She liked musicals and for many years also had season tickets for the off-Broadway productions that played at the State and Orpheum theaters in downtown Minneapolis.
She also was an avid reader, with westerns and mysteries being her favorite genres, her daughter said.
Rittenhouse was a member of the League of Women Voters and the Augsburg College Alumni. She was a longtime member at Highland Presbyterian Church in north Minneapolis, where she was a deacon and an elder. She also sang in the choir there, McCourtney said.
In addition to her daughter, Rittenhouse is survived by a son, Paul of Richfield; sister, JoAnn Auren of St. Louis Park; four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Rittenhouse, Carol M. Age 81, of New Hope, passed away April 29, 2009 after a 23 year struggle with Parkinsons. Preceded in death by parents, Martin and Anna Brekken; husband, Donald; and sister, Muriel Ondich. She will be missed by son, Paul (Joy); daughter, Wendy McCourtney (Michael); granddaughters, Megan Chamberlain, Kellie McCourtney, Greta and Heidi Rittenhouse; sister, JoAnn Auren (Mel); nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Graduate of Mpls. South High School (1945) and Augsburg College (1949). Retired teacher of Robbinsdale School District 281. Special thanks to her caregivers of St. Therese. Memorials are preferred to St. Therese Foundation, North Hospice or Struther's Parkinson Center. Interment Glen Haven. Visitation 4-7 PM Sunday and one hour prior to service. Funeral service 10:30 AM Monday, all at: Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel (763) 533-8643 5125 West Broadway, Crystal
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See more Rittenhouse or Brekken memorials in:
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