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    Omann, Sr., Bernard P. "Ben"

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    Senate 1980 (District 16); House 1983-86 (District 16A)

    Party when first elected:  Independent Republican

    Counties Served:  Benton, Meeker, Morrison, Stearns

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 6/1/1919
    Birth Place: , Minnesota
    Birth County:
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 11/19/1986
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Catholic
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names: Ben
    City of Residence (when first elected): Saint Joseph
    Occupation (when first elected): Farmer/Insurance Agent, Omann Insurace Agency

    EDUCATION

    St. John's Preparatory High School; Secondary;

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Olivia
    Children: Eleven children: Bernie (son)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
    Bernard P. Omann, Jr.  - Son

    GENERAL NOTES

    Special Legislative Concerns: health, welfare, agriculture, natural resources, energy, veterans.

    He won the election unopposed to House seat District 16A on November 4, 1986. He died on November 19, 1986 of cancer at a hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota. His funeral was held at St. Stephen's Catholic Church.

    Religion provided by his obituary.

    Total Days Served: 1729

    SESSIONS SERVED

    74th Legislative Session (1985-1986)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 16A
    Elected: 11/6/1984
    Residence: Saint Joseph
    Term of Office: 1/8/1985 to 11/19/1986 (unfinished term)
    Counties Represented: Benton, Morrison, Stearns
    Occupation: Farmer/Insurance
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Agriculture: Agricultural Products Marketing
    • Education
    • Education: Higher Education Division
    • Regulated Industries and Energy
    • Regulated Industries and Energy: Gaming
    • Regulated Industries and Energy: Utilities (Chair)
    Reason for unfinished term: Death
    Session Notes: He died while in office on November 19, 1986. His son Bernie Omann won his seat in the special election.

    73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 16A
    Elected: 11/2/1982
    Residence: Saint Joseph
    Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/7/1985
    Counties Represented: Benton, Morrison, Stearns
    Occupation: Farmer/Insurance
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Energy
    • Energy: Energy and Economics
    • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
    • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Elections

    71st Legislative Session (1979-1980) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 16
    Elected: 2/22/1980
    Residence: Saint Joseph
    Term of Office: 2/28/1980 to 1/5/1981 (Special Election)
    Counties Represented: Meeker, Stearns
    Occupation: Farmer/Insurance Agent, Omann Insurace Agency
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Agriculture and Natural Resources
    • Energy and Housing
    • Local Government
    Session Notes: He won the Senate special election held due to the death of Ed Schrom. He was sworn in on February 28, 1980.
    Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books By
    Omann, Ben. "Blame DFLers." Minneapolis Tribune, June 5, 1981.

    Omann, Ben. "Per Diem Too High." Minneapolis Tribune, April 9, 1981.


    Articles & Books About
    "Rep. Omann of St. Joseph Dies at Age 67 (Obituary)." St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch, November 20, 1986.

    Whereatt, Robert. "Rep. Ben Omann Dies of Cancer (Obituary)." Minneapolis Star Tribune, November 20, 1986.



    The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

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