The German-born mother of Steve Prefontaine and long-time resident of Coos Bay, Ore., Elfriede Prefontaine, died on Tuesday at 5:55 p.m. in Eugene.

She was 88 and died after complications from a recent fall on July 4 according to a family friend.

Elfriede moved to the United States after World War II and married Ray Prefontaine. Their son, Steve, rose to fame as a distance runner and helped kindle the flame that turned Eugene into TrackTown, U.S.A.

After Steve’s auto accident death in 1975, Elfriede and Ray kept his bedroom virtually untouched in their little house on Coos Bay’s Elrod Street.

A private family ceremony is planned and there is also talk of a public memorial service at a later date.

Elfriede received a moment of recognition each year at the Prefontaine Classic but did not attend this year because of frail health.

Ray Prefontaine died in December of 2004.