Otremba, Mary Ellen
House 1997-2010 (District 11B)
Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Counties Served:
Douglas, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, Wadena
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
9/26/1950
Birth Place:
Bertha, Minnesota
Birth County:
Todd
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
7/16/2014
Gender:
Female
Religion:
Catholic
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
Former Name: Mary Ellen Dinkel
City of Residence (when first elected):
Long Prairie
Occupation (when first elected):
Teacher, Family and Consumer Science, Swanville High School
EDUCATION
Long Prairie High School; Secondary;
College of St. Benedict; B.A.; Home and Community Service
St. Cloud State University; M.A.; Child and Family Studies
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Ken (before she served); Widow (while in office)
Children:
Four children: Andrew, Timothy, Kateri, and Elizabeth
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
Ken Otremba
- Husband
Steve Dehler
- Cousin-in-Law
GENERAL NOTES
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.
Her funeral was held at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie, Minnesota.
Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005 and Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.
Body: House
District: 11B
Elected: 11/4/2008
Residence: Long Prairie
Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
Counties Represented:
Douglas, Todd
Occupation: Substitute Teacher/Farmer
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs (Chair)
Minutes
-
Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Health Care and Human Services Finance Division
Minutes
-
Ways and Means
Minutes
Body: House
District: 11B
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Long Prairie
Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
Counties Represented:
Douglas, Todd
Occupation: Substitute Teacher/Farmer
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs (Chair)
Minutes
-
Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs Division
Minutes
- Ex Officio Member
-
Finance
Minutes
-
Finance: Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Health Care and Human Services Finance Division
Minutes
-
Health and Human Services
Minutes
-
Health and Human Services: Mental Health Division
Minutes
Body: House
District: 11B
Elected: 11/2/2004
Residence: Long Prairie
Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
Counties Represented:
Douglas, Todd
Occupation: Substitute Teacher/Farmer
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Special Session Bills Authored: 2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
-
Agriculture and Rural Development
Minutes
-
Health Policy and Finance
Minutes
-
Health Policy and Finance: Health Care Cost Containment Division
Minutes
-
Ways and Means
Minutes
Body: House
District: 11B
Elected: 11/5/2002
Residence: Long Prairie
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
Counties Represented:
Douglas, Todd
Occupation: Teacher/Farmer
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Special Session Bills Authored: 2003 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
-
Agriculture Policy
Minutes
-
Health and Human Services Finance
Minutes
-
Health and Human Services Policy
Minutes
Leadership Position:
Assistant Minority Leader
Body: House
District: 11B
Elected: 11/7/2000
Residence: Long Prairie
Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
Counties Represented:
Douglas, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, Wadena
Occupation: Teacher/Farmer
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy
Minutes
-
Health and Human Services Finance
Minutes
-
Health and Human Services Policy
Minutes
-
Ways and Means
Minutes
Leadership Position:
Assistant Minority Leader
Body: House
District: 11B
Elected: 11/3/1998
Residence: Long Prairie
Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
Counties Represented:
Douglas, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, Wadena
Occupation: Teacher/Farmer
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Body: House
District: 11B
Elected: 11/4/1997
Residence: Long Prairie
Term of Office: 11/13/1997 to 1/4/1999
(Special Election)
Counties Represented:
Douglas, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, Wadena
Occupation: Teacher, Family and Consumer Science, Swanville High School
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Agriculture
Minutes
-
Education
Minutes
-
Health and Human Services
Minutes
-
Health and Human Services: Health and Human Services Finance Division
Minutes
Session Notes:
She won the seat held by her husband, Ken Otremba, before his death in September 1997.
Articles & Books About
Brown, Jason C. "Todd County Loses True Advocate." Long Prairie Leader, July 18, 2014.
Kimball, Joe. "Mary Ellen Otremba, Who Served 13 Years in the Minnesota House, Died Thursday at 63." MinnPost, July 18, 2014.
Edenloff, Al. "Mary Ellen Otremba, Long-Time Legislator, Passes Away." Alexandria Echo Press, July 17, 2014
Sommerhauser, Mark. "Former Lawmaker Mary Ellen Otremba Remembered for Common Touch." St. Cloud Times, July 17, 2014.
Radomski, Lauren. "Agriculture Advocate Bids Adieu." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, June 1, 2010, p. 43.
Donovan, Sandra. "Otremba Wins House Seat in November Special Election." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 23, 1998, p. 16.
Edenloff, Al. "Ex-Lawmaker Remembered for Her Dedication to Public Service." Pioneer Press, July 20, 2014.
District Files
District File - 2000 District 11B
District File - 2002 District 11B
District File - 2003 District 11B
District File - 2004 District 11B
District File - 2005 District 11B
District File - 2006 District 11B
District File - 2007 District 11B
District File - 2008 District 11B
District File - 2009 District 11B
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.
The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.