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Katy Olson

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Katy Olson
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 28B, 22B district
In office
January 6, 1987 – January 2, 1995
Preceded byDennis C. Frederickson
Succeeded byElaine Harder
Personal details
BornOctober 24, 1928
Rock Valley, Iowa
DiedAugust 14, 2011
Rochester, Minnesota
Political partyDemocratic Farmer Labor Party
SpouseRobert
Children5
ResidenceTrimont, Minnesota
Alma materMinnesota State University, Mankato
Luther College
Occupationfarmer, political activist

Catherina "Katy" Gaalswyk Olson (October 24, 1928 – August 14, 2011) was a Minnesota politician and was a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from southwestern Minnesota.[1]

Service in the Minnesota House

Olson was first elected in 1986 in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's "firestorm" that swept through the region. The election gave Democrats unprecedented control of southwestern Minnesota for the next several election cycles. She was re-elected in 1988, 1990 and 1992. She represented the old District 28B and, later, District 22B, which included all or portions of Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Redwood, Watonwan and Brown counties, changing somewhat through redistricting in 1990.[1]

While in the legislature, Olson was a member of the House Agriculture, Education, Rules and Legislative Administration, Transportation and Transit, Economic Development and Housing, and Energy committees, and of various sub-committees relevant to each area. She was chair of the Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women from 1991-1993. The commission has since evolved into the Office on the Economic Status of Women.[2][3] She also served as an assistant majority leader during the 1993-1994 session under House Speaker Dee Long.[1]

Background and community service

From the rural Trimont and Sherburn areas, Olson earned a reputation as a strong advocate for farmers, agricultural issues and education during her time in office. Prior to being elected to the House, she served on the Trimont School Board and, after her service in the legislature concluded, she served on the Minnesota State Board of Teaching and the Minnesota Region 9 Development Commission.[1]

Olson and her husband, Robert, were the parents of five children. They had farmed in the Trimont area for many years.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Olson, Katy". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  2. ^ "Report" (PDF). commissions.leg.state.mn.us.
  3. ^ "Report" (PDF). commissions.leg.state.mn.us.
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