Wayne Ervin Ebert, 84, of Ft. Myers, FL, formerly of Owatonna, MN, passed away December 28, 2019 in Ft. Myers, Florida, on the second hole of his usual golf course (as he wanted). He was born October 28, 1935, the son of Ervin Franz Ebert and Dorothy Erdman Ebert in Goodhue County, MN. He grew up in Winona, MN, attending St. Matthew's Lutheran School and Winona High School. He graduated from Winona State University in 1958 with his bachelor's degree in secondary education and married Janice C. Thorson at Minnehaha Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, on August 29, 1959. They were married for almost 59 years until Janice's death in July 2018. Wayne began and ended his teaching career at Owatonna High School, beginning in 1958 and retiring in 1994. During those years, he taught math, P.E., and health as well as serving as the leader of the Tech Prep and IB programs and as Dean of Students. During his years as a teacher, he completed his M.E. in secondary education at the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley and worked toward his doctorate in physical education at the University of Oregon, with a dissertation focused on teaching lifetime sports in P.E. Upon his return, he worked to implement these activities into the OHS PE curriculum. A lifelong athlete, Wayne was honored by his alma mater, WSU, as a member of the Top 100 Football Team of the university's first 100 years in 2005. He coached football, golf, basketball, wrestling, and baseball in his years at OHS. Even long into retirement, he was known as "Coach." He is survived by his 2 children, Christine (and Michael) Nelson of Oak Park, Illinois and Michael (and Katy) Ebert of Rochester; 5 grandchildren, Tyler Ebert, Kyle Ebert, Rose Nelson, Zachary Nelson, Paul Nelson; 2 siblings in law, A. William Thorson of Mamora, IL and Carol (and Gordon) Thorson Forsberg of Aitkin and Ft. Myers, Florida; numerous nephews and nieces and a great many friends and former students. Visitation will be at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 4 from 9:30 am to 11am. Funeral services will be held after the visitation at 11am at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Todd Buegler officiating. Luncheon will be served after the service in the Fellowship Hall. Memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church of Owatonna, the Owatonna Foundation, and Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church of Ft. Myers, FL.