ByeBye Belly Fat.

employees, handled both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.

Rengo always used her own personal vehicles for teaching driver’s ed. She is perhaps most well-known for her Chrysler LeBaron convertible, in which she would often be seen around town, students in tow, with the top down. As an instructor, Rengo paid for her own car and insurance, and would have the vehicle customized with a driver’s-side brake pedal and side-view mirror.

Students were allowed to listen to the radio while driving, but cellphones have always been strictly off-limits.

“I’d require the kids to shut their phones completely off, not just put them on vibrate,” she said. “There is no cellphone use in the car — it’s the law.”

For the most part, teaching driving to teenagers was surprisingly fun and low-key. “My kids were awesome,” Rengo said. “They were always so fun in the car. I really enjoyed my job.”

But there were a few snafus along the way. “Once, a student almost ran into a semi-truck while coming down Thompson Hill. And, there was one fender-bender where my mirror got clipped. But otherwise, there have been no accidents.”

Rengo now lives in Deer River, where she and Lloyd moved in 2005 to help her ailing parents. From 2005 until her retirement earlier this year, Rengo spent her work weeks staying at the AmericInn hotel in Carlton, which would allow her to bring her beloved canine companions. The dogs also joined in on many driving lessons — from the safety of the backseat — to the delight of her students.

Rengo’s mom, dad and Lloyd have all since died. She keeps busy by socializing with friends, taking art classes, pampering her dogs and occasionally enjoying her timeshare condominium in Mexico.

She also has five grandchildren, two of whom she personally taught how to drive. “No, it wasn’t nerve-wracking to teach my own grandkids,” Rengo said with a grin. “After all, they had a good teacher.”

Driver’s ed can be a stressful time of life — both for the teenager learning to drive for the first time, and for the parents learning to let go. Rengo advised that driving defensively is key.

“Be careful, and always watch the other person. Pay attention. You never know if the other drivers are texting, yawning, or even sneezing. That’s life. And to parents — watch what you do when you’re driving. I can teach them the right things to do, but your kids are going to do whatever you do behind the wheel.” D