Terence William Rindal

Terence William Rindal was born on July 20, 1935 to Margaret Bertha Marie Ahrens and Benjamin Nicholas Rindal in St. Paul, Minnesota.  The second of four boys, Terry was known for his mischievousness and toughness.   Whether climbing the cliffs of Mounds Park, shooting rubber-tipped arrows at passing cars or spreading ketchup on themselves to feign mortal injury, the Rindal brothers were always having fun while taxing the patience of their beloved mother.

At school, Terry focused less on academics than on defending himself and his brothers from relentless teasing.  He soon developed a reputation as a fighter and embarked on a successful boxing career.  In 1952, he was crowned the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Welter Weight Champion.

On June 26, 1954, Terry married his childhood sweetheart Diane Jean Lawrence, with whom he recently celebrated a 63rd wedding anniversary.  Terry and Diane are parents to six children [Karla Rindal; Kathy (Rich) Brooks; Terence William Rindal, Jr.; Karin (Chris) Kubacki; JoAnne (Steve) Hendricks; and Karol (Phil) Mattes], grandparents to ten grandchildren [Travis Brooks, Jordan (Chloe) Brooks, Hayley (Chris) Kolar, Taylor Penny, Kelsie (Brandyn) Bell, Richard Penny III, Max Kubacki, Graydon Mattes, Finley Mattes, and Katherine Mattes], and great-grandparents to two (Alana Epperly and Jude Kolar).

In addition, Terry and Diane became surrogate parents to Tot and Tuyet Bui, their four children [Todd (Tonia) Bui, Hong Bui, Nam Bui and Pauline (Jason) Tran] and their two grandchildren (Brooke Bui and Parker Tran).  Terry and Diane were also parents to scores of foster children who came to live temporarily in their home.

During his lifetime, Terry worked a variety of blue- and white-collar jobs: notably packing hams and packing Hamm’s.  After earning his Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology and Psychology from Augsburg College and his Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations from University of Minnesota, he worked in Employee and Labor Relations for Amoco Oil (now BP).

Terry had a strong Christian faith which he demonstrated in a multitude of ways.   He volunteered extensively as Congregational President of his churches, founded two Nursing Care facilities, sat on the board of the Epilepsy Foundation, led a weekly Bible study to death row inmates at Cook County Jail, founded a river restoration project in Wyoming, volunteered at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, and acted as site director for West Suburban PADS, among other things.  In recent years, he worked tirelessly on behalf of the homeless in McHenry County, conceptualizing a long-term care facility, raising funds and ultimately overseeing the construction and staffing of the center; in gratitude, the board named the facility the Terry Rindal Transitional Home.

Terry was an avid hunter and fisherman, waking early many days to chase either big game or big fish.  Always ready to test his endurance, he loved the wilds of Wyoming and the lakes of Minnesota.

On August 12, 2017, Terry went peacefully to be with His Lord.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Mark Rindal and Michael Rindal.  Terry is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and by his adored brother, James Rindal.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 16, from 4 pm until the time of a funeral service at 8 pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta (Rte. 176), Crystal Lake.

For Minnesota family and friends, a visitation will be held on Friday, August 18, from 4 pm until 7 pm at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 674 Johnson Pkwy, St Paul, MN.  Visitation at the church will continue Saturday morning, August 19, from 9 am until the time of a funeral service at 10 am.  Burial will follow at Union Cemetery, St. Paul, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Feed My Starving Children, 401 93rd Ave. NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433 or Lutheran Bible Translators, PO Box 789, Concordia, MO 64020-0789.