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    Redalen, Elton R.

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1977-82 (District 35A); House 1983-91 (District 32B)

    Party when first elected:  Independent Republican

    Counties Served:  Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 5/??/1926
    Birth Place: Fountain, Minnesota
    Birth County: Fillmore
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 7/10/2009
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Lutheran
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Fountain
    Occupation (when first elected): Dairy Farmer

    EDUCATION

    Lanesboro High School; Secondary;
    University of Minnesota; Attended College;
    Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; Attended College;

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    School Board/Administration: Fountain, Minnesota (School Board, Chair); 19?? to 19??
    Military: United States Navy (World War II, Officer, 2.5 years); 194? to 194?
    State Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (Commissioner, Appointed by Governor Arne Carlson); 01/1991 to 06/30/1995 [Appointed]
    State Legislative Staff: Minnesota House of Representatives (Clerk Pro Tem, He was appointed so he could give his farewell speech at the House podium.); 01/08/1991 to 01/08/1991 [Appointed]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Joyce (she preceded him in death)
    Children: Seven children: Sharon and Jane (daughters); Craig, Gary, Steven, Donald, and Jeffrey (sons)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He was born on a farm near Fountain, Minnesota.

    He died of cancer at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, Minnesota. His funeral was held on July 15, 2009 at Root Prairie Lutheran Church in Fountain, Minnesota.

    He was a member of Root Prairie Lutheran Church in Fountain, Minnesota.

    Religion provided by the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1979-80.

    Most recent term photo
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    Total Days Served: 4771

    SESSIONS SERVED

    77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1991
    Body: House
    District: 32B
    Elected: 11/6/1990
    Residence: Fountain
    Term of Office: 1/7/1991 to 1/10/1991 (unfinished term)
    Oath Date: 1/8/1991
    Counties Represented: Fillmore, Mower
    Occupation: Dairy Farmer
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    Reason for unfinished term: Appointed to other office
    Session Notes: He was reelected but resigned shortly after being sworn in due to his appointment by Governor Arne Carlson as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. He was appointed Clerk Pro Tem so he could give his farewell speech at the House podium.

    76th Legislative Session (1989-1990)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/1989
    Body: House
    District: 32B
    Elected: 11/8/1988
    Residence: Fountain
    Term of Office: 1/2/1989 to 1/6/1991
    Oath Date: 1/3/1989
    Counties Represented: Fillmore, Mower
    Occupation: Dairy Farmer
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Agriculture: Agriculture Finance and Farm Programs
    • Environment and Natural Resources
    • Environment and Natural Resources: Game and Fish
    • Labor-Management Relations
    • Labor-Management Relations: Unemployment Insurance and Workers' Compensation
    • Taxes
    • Taxes: Property Tax

    75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/6/1987
    Body: House
    District: 32B
    Elected: 11/4/1986
    Residence: Fountain
    Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/1/1989
    Oath Date: 1/6/1987
    Counties Represented: Fillmore, Mower
    Occupation: Dairy Farmer
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Agriculture: Agriculture Finance Division
    • Agriculture: Dairy and Livestock
    • Agriculture: Farm Programs and Policies
    • Agriculture: Soil and Water Conservation
    • General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming
    • General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming: Gaming
    • General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming: Veterans Affairs and Miscellaneous Legislation
    • Regulated Industries
    • Rules and Legislative Administration
    • Taxes
    • Taxes: Property Tax Division
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

    74th Legislative Session (1985-1986)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1985
    Body: House
    District: 32B
    Elected: 11/6/1984
    Residence: Fountain
    Term of Office: 1/7/1985 to 1/4/1987
    Oath Date: 1/8/1985
    Counties Represented: Fillmore, Mower
    Occupation: Dairy Farmer
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Agriculture: Agricultural Land Use
    • Agriculture: Rural Economy
    • Regulated Industries and Energy (Chair)
    • Regulated Industries and Energy: Energy
    • Regulated Industries and Energy: Gaming (Chair)
    • Regulated Industries and Energy: Utilities
    • Taxes
    • Taxes: Local Government Finance Division
    term photo
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    73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/4/1983
    Body: House
    District: 32B
    Elected: 11/2/1982
    Residence: Fountain
    Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/6/1985
    Oath Date: 1/4/1983
    Counties Represented: Fillmore, Mower
    Occupation: Dairy Farmer
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
    • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Gaming Division
    • Regulated Industries
    • Regulated Industries: Beverage
    • Regulated Industries: Special Projects
    • Taxes
    • Taxes: Tax Laws Division
    • Taxes: Tax Laws Division: Property Tax System Subcommittee

    72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/6/1981
    Body: House
    District: 35A
    Elected: 11/4/1980
    Residence: Fountain
    Term of Office: 1/5/1981 to 1/2/1983
    Oath Date: 1/6/1981
    Counties Represented: Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted
    Occupation: Dairy Farmer
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Commerce and Economic Development
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Consumer Affairs and Tourism
    • Regulated Industries
    • Taxes
    • Taxes: Tax Laws Division
    term photo
    Click to view

    71st Legislative Session (1979-1980)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/1979
    Body: House
    District: 35A
    Elected: 11/7/1978
    Residence: Fountain
    Term of Office: 1/1/1979 to 1/4/1981
    Oath Date: 1/3/1979
    Counties Represented: Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted
    Occupation: Dairy Farmer
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Education
    • Education: Higher Education Division
    • Energy and Utilities
    • Energy and Utilities: Utilities Regulation and Pricing
    • Transportation
    • Transportation: Safety and General Transportation

    70th Legislative Session (1977-1978)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/4/1977
    Body: House
    District: 35A
    Elected: 12/10/1977
    Residence: Fountain
    Term of Office: 12/19/1977 to 12/31/1978 (Special Election)
    Oath Date: 12/19/1977
    Counties Represented: Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted
    Occupation: Dairy Farmer
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    Session Notes: He won the seat vacated by Neil Haugerud. He was sworn in on December 19, 1977.

    OTHER INFORMATION

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    News Sources

    The Library maintains newspaper clippings on individual legislators during their terms. Clippings are available from 1973 to the present in a variety of formats: 1973-1999, microfiche available at the Library; 2000-2009, scanned in yearly compilations and digitally available on the legislative network; 2009-present, archived in a searchable database maintained by the Library and available on the legislative network.
    These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

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