Arlen Erdahl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arlen Erdahl
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 1st district |
|
| In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1983 |
|
| Preceded by | Al Quie |
| Succeeded by | Tim Penny |
| 18th Secretary of State of Minnesota | |
| In office January 4, 1971 – January 5, 1975 |
|
| Governor | Wendell Anderson |
| Preceded by | Joseph L. Donovan |
| Succeeded by | Joan Growe |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives | |
| In office January 8, 1963 – January 4, 1971 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 27, 1931 Blue Earth, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | September 21, 2023 (aged 92) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Ellen Syrdal Erdahl |
Arlen Ingolf Erdahl (born February 27, 1931 – died September 21, 2023) was an American farmer and politician. He held many important government jobs. He served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1963 to 1970. Later, he became the Minnesota Secretary of State from 1971 to 1975. He also served as a U.S. Representative for Minnesota from 1979 to 1983.
Beyond his time in Congress, Erdahl worked for the Peace Corps. He was a Country Director and then an Associate Director from 1983 to 1989. He also worked at the U.S. Department of Energy from 1989 to 1993. He was involved with many groups like the United Nations Association of Minnesota. In 1999, he received the Twin Cities International Citizen Award. In 2011, he got the Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Award. This award recognized his great public service.
Early Life and Education
Arlen Ingolf Erdahl was born in Blue Earth, Minnesota, in Faribault County. His mother was from Norway, and his father's family was also Norwegian. He went to public schools in Faribault County.
He studied at St. Olaf College, earning his degree in 1953. He later went to Harvard University and earned another degree in 1966. Before his political career, he served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. He also worked as a farmer, growing grains and raising livestock.
Political Career
Arlen Erdahl began his political journey in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He served there from 1963 to 1970 as a member of the Republican Party. After that, he became the Minnesota Secretary of State. He held this statewide office from 1971 to 1975.
From 1975 to 1978, Erdahl worked on the Minnesota Public Service Commission. This group helps regulate public services. Then, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He served in Congress from 1979 to 1983. His cousin, Dale Erdahl, also served in the Minnesota Legislature.
Later Life and Recognition
In April 2011, Arlen Erdahl was honored for his leadership. He received the Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Award. This award came from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
His political papers and records are kept at the Southern Minnesota Historical Center. This collection is at the Memorial Library at Minnesota State University, Mankato. It contains information about his time in the Minnesota House of Representatives. It also includes details about his campaign for Minnesota Secretary of State in 1970. Arlen Erdahl passed away on September 21, 2023, at the age of 92.
