Paul Overgaard Explained

Paul Overgaard
State Senate3:Minnesota
District3:9th
Term Start3:January 5, 1971
Term End3:January 1, 1973
Predecessor3:Rudolph Hanson
Successor3:Charles Robert Hansen "Baldy, C.R."
State House4:Minnesota
District4:9A
Prior Term4:9 (1963-1966)
Term Start4:January 8, 1963
Term End4:January 6, 1969
Predecessor4:Edmond Conn
Successor4:Henry J. Savelkoul
Party:Republican Party of Minnesota
Birth Date:February 15, 1930
Birth Place:Albert Lea, Minnesota, U.S.
Occupation:Legislator
Spouse:Janet
Children:5
Residence:Albert Lea, Minnesota
Rank:First Lieutenant
Serviceyears:1948–1953
Battles:Korean War
Awards:Silver Star
Purple Heart

Paul Philip Overgaard (February 15, 1930 – February 4, 2022) was an American politician in the state of Minnesota who was a member of the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represented District 9 (present-day district 27) in the Senate and 9A (present-day 27A) in the House, which includes portions of Freeborn and Waseca counties in southeastern Minnesota.[1]

Education, military, and career

Born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Overgaard graduated from Albert Lea High School. He served in the military from 1948 to 1953 and fought in the Korean War. Overgaard spent the morning of his 21st birthday on February 15, 1951, in a firefight where he parachuted twice, led a company of soldiers in battle after his commander and fellow platoon leaders fell, and sustained a gunshot wound in his thigh forceful enough to send shrapnel into his ankle and heel. He helped win the battle that erupted at 3 a.m. on his birthday in part by calling off friendly fire that would have produced a tragic result had it continued unchecked. Overgaard was awarded a Silver Star, a Purple Heart, and an article and photo in the Minneapolis Star on June 11, 1951, announcing his return to Albert Lea, then stateside service in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. After his return from Korea, he was a grain farmer and worked for Mutual Funds Securities as an investment adviser and as vice president of Imperial Financial Services, Inc.[2] Overgaard died on February 4, 2022, at the age of 91.[3]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Elections

Overgaard was first elected in 1962. He was reelected in 1964 and 1966. He decided not to seek reelection in 1968.

Committee assignments

For the 65th legislative session, Overgaard was a part of:

For the 64th legislative session, Overgaard was a part of:

For the 63rd legislative session, Overgaard was a part of:

Tenure

Overgaard represented District 31A in the Minnesota House of Representatives from January 8, 1963 to January 6, 1969 (63rd, 64th, and 65th legislative sessions).

Minnesota Senate

Elections

Overgaard was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1970. He lost reelection in 1972.

Committee assignments

For the 67th legislative session, Overgaard was a part of:

Tenure

Overgaard was sworn in on January 5, 1971, serving in the 67th Minnesota legislature.

Personal life

Overgaard was married to his wife, Janet. They had five daughters and lived in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Overgaard, Paul. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library . Legislators Past & Present . February 13, 2015.
  2. Web site: OPINION EXCHANGE | Minnesota legislative veterans revisit history. Star Tribune.
  3. https://bayviewfuneral.com/obituaries/paul-overgaard Paul Overgaard-obituary