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    Bettermann, Hilda

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1991-92 (District 11B); House 1993-98 (District 10B)

    Party when first elected:  Independent Republican

    Counties Served:  Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stearns, Stevens

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 10/22/1942
    Birth Place: ,
    Birth County:
    Birth Country:
    Date of Death: 1/28/2023
    Gender: Female
    Religion: Lutheran
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Brandon
    Occupation (when first elected): Teacher; Legal Secretary Instructor, Alexandria Technical College

    EDUCATION

    Brandon High School; Secondary; 1960
    Hamline University; Attended College;
    University of Minnesota; Attended College;
    Moorhead State University; Attended College;
    St. Cloud State University; Attended College;

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Board of Medical Practice; 06/1998 to 2006
    County Board/Commissioner: Douglas County, Minnesota (Hospital Board); 2000 to 2009
    State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (Board Member, Appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty); 04/2004 to 2012 [Appointed]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: William (married in November 1962)
    Children: Two children: Cynthia and Randall
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    She grew up on their family farm south of Brandon, MN.

    She graduated from Brandon High School in 1960 as Valedictorian of her class.

    She was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party until the late 1960s. (Session Weekly, February 1, 1991, p. 13)

    Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Visitation will continue from 10:30-11:30 a.m., followed by a funeral at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery in Garfield.

    Religion provided by her obituary.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 2919

    SESSIONS SERVED

    80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 10B
    Elected: 11/5/1996
    Residence: Brandon
    Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
    Counties Represented: Douglas, Pope, Stearns
    Occupation: Teacher
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Capital Investment
    • Education Minutes
    • Education: Education Planning and Transitions Minutes
    • Education: Higher Education Finance Division Minutes
    • Education: Higher Education Finance Division: Reform, Efficiency and Accountability Minutes - Ex Officio Member
    • Labor-Management Relations
    • Ways and Means
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

    79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 10B
    Elected: 11/8/1994
    Residence: Brandon
    Term of Office: 1/3/1995 to 1/6/1997
    Counties Represented: Douglas, Pope, Stearns
    Occupation: Teacher
    Party: Independent Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Education
    • Education: Higher Education Finance Division
    • Ethics
    • Labor-Management Relations
    • Rules and Legislative Administration
    • Rules and Legislative Administration: Rules
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
    term photo
    Click to view

    78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 10B
    Elected: 11/3/1992
    Residence: Brandon
    Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/2/1995
    Counties Represented: Douglas, Pope, Stearns
    Occupation: Teacher
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Agriculture: Dairy and Livestock
    • Agriculture: Soil and Water Resources
    • Education
    • Education: Higher Education Finance Division
    • Education: Higher Education Policy
    • Ethics
    • Labor-Management Relations
    • Labor-Management Relations: Unemployment and Workers' Compensation
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

    77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 11B
    Elected: 11/6/1990
    Residence: Brandon
    Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993
    Counties Represented: Douglas, Grant, Stevens
    Occupation: Teacher; Legal Secretary Instructor, Alexandria Technical College
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Commerce
    • Economic Development
    • Economic Development: Review of Economic Development Strategies
    • Education
    • Education: Higher Education Division
    • Labor-Management Relations
    • Labor-Management Relations: Worker's Compensation and Unemployment Insurance
    Session Notes: Her margin of victory over Clair L. Nelson was only 27 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount she was declared the winner by 48 votes.
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    "Bettermann, Hilda." Star Tribune, February 5, 2023, P. B8.

    Edenloff, Al. "Former State Representative Hilda Bettermann Dies at 80" Alexandria Echo Press, January 30, 2023.

    "Bettermann Always Wanted to Be Involved." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, February 1, 1991, p. 13.


    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.

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