Mary Ellen Otremba

Mary Ellen Otremba
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 11B district
In office
November 13, 1997 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by Ken Otremba
Succeeded by Mary Franson
Personal details
Born (1950-09-26)September 26, 1950
Bertha, Minnesota
Died July 16, 2014(2014-07-16) (aged 63)
Long Prairie, Minnesota
Political party Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Spouse(s) Ken Otremba (deceased)
Children 4, Andy Otremba, Timothy Otremba, Kateri Torborg, Elizabeth Otremba
Residence Long Prairie, Minnesota
Alma mater College of Saint Benedict
St. Cloud State University
Profession educator, farmer, legislator
Religion Catholic

Mary Ellen Dinkel Otremba (September 26, 1950 – July 16, 2014) was an American politician and a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives who represented District 11B, which includes portions of Douglas and Todd counties in the west central part of the state. A Democrat, she was also a substitute teacher and farmer.[1] On May 19, 2010, she announced that she would not seek an eighth term.[2]

Otremba was first elected in a November 4, 1997, special election held after the death of her husband, Representative Ken Otremba, that September.[3] She chaired the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee, and was a member of the Ways and Means Committee. She also served on the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee for the Veterans Affairs Division, and on the Finance subcommittees for the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division and the Health Care and Human Services Finance Division.[4] She was an assistant minority leader from 2001–2004.[1]

Otremba graduated from Long Prairie High School in Long Prairie, then went on to the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, receiving a BA in Home and Community Service. She later attended St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, earning her MA in Child and Family Studies. She worked as a nutritionist for the Todd County Department of Public Health from 1984–1989, as a teacher in the Freshwater Educational District from 1986–1989, and as a teacher at Eagle Valley High School in Clarissa from 1989–1997. Prior to and during her first term in the Legislature, she taught Family and Consumer Science at Swanville High School in Swanville and was a substitute teacher.[5]

Otremba was a member of the Minnesota Agriculture Education Advisory Board and the Rural Health Advisory Board since 2002. She was also active in various organizations and clubs in her local community.[5]

Otremba died on July 16, 2014 in Long Prairie, Minnesota.[6][7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present – Legislator Record – Otremba, Mary Ellen". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  2. ↑ "Polinaut". Minnesota Public Radio. July 16, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  3. ↑ "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present – Legislator Record – Otremba, Ken". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  4. ↑ "Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL) 11B – Minnesota House of Representatives". House.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  5. 1 2 "Project Vote Smart – Representative Mary Ellen Otremba – Biography". Votesmart.org. September 26, 1950. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  6. ↑ Franson, Mary. "Press Release". Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  7. ↑ Mary Ellen Otremba, 63
Political offices
Preceded by
Ken Otremba		 Minnesota State Representative from the 11B District
1997–2011 		Succeeded by
Mary Franson
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