Donald Avenson Explained

Donald Avenson
Office:Member of the Iowa House of Representatives
Term Start:January 8, 1973
Term End:January 8, 1991
Birth Date:16 September 1944
Birth Place:Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Death Place:North Platte, Nebraska, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Occupation:Tool and die maker, office manager

Donald D. Avenson (September 16, 1944 – May 19, 2017) was an American politician in the state of Iowa.

Early life

Avenson was born on September 16, 1944, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Donald C. and Wilma G. Avenson. The family lived in Oelwein, Iowa, and he graduated from Oelwein Community High School in 1962.

On August 1, 1964, he married Diane Mary Duda and the couple had three children. Avenson attended the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, receiving his bachelor's degree in political science and history in 1970, and completed his graduate studies in history at the University of Northern Iowa.[1]

Political career

Avenson worked at the Oelwein Tool & Die Company. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1973 to 1991, as a Democrat.[2] He unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1990, losing to Terry Branstad.[3] [4]

Later life

Avenson died in Great Plains Medical Center in North Platte, Nebraska on May 19, 2017, from a heart attack. He was 72 years old.[5] [6] [7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Donald D. Avenson Special Collections & University Archives . 2022-10-30 . scua.library.uni.edu.
  2. Web site: State Representative. Iowa Legislative Services Agency. 16 October 2015.
  3. Web site: Petroski . William . Don Avenson, former Iowa House speaker, dead at 72 . 2022-10-30 . The Des Moines Register . en-US.
  4. News: Maraniss . David . 1990-08-18 . ABORTION NEW ROLE IN IOWA . en-US . Washington Post . 2022-10-30 . 0190-8286.
  5. Web site: Former Iowa House Speaker Don Avenson Dies at 72. Staff. May 20, 2017. WHOtv. May 20, 2017.
  6. News: Former speaker Don Avenson passes away at 72. Crippes. Christinia. May 20, 2017. Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. May 20, 2017. en.
  7. Web site: Don Avenson, former speaker of Iowa House, dies . 2022-10-30 . www.thegazette.com . en-US.