Former state senator remembered for her ‘hard work’
Arlene Lesewski April 12, 1936 – Oct. 22, 2026
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MARSHALL -- She served in the Minnesota state Legislature for nine years. But even outside of the Capitol, Arlene Lesewski was remembered as an active part of both Minnesota politics and her local community.
"She taught me a lot about hard work," said Marty Seifert, who served as Lesewski's campaign manager in the 1990s, and later worked with her as a fellow state legislator. "She had a lot of empathy for people."
Lesewski died Oct. 22, at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. She was 90.
Lesewski served as a state senator from 1993-2002. Her district included the southwest Minnesota counties of Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Yellow Medicine.
According to Lesewski's biographical information at the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, she graduated from Lynd High School and attended college at what is now Southwest Minnesota State University. At the time she was first elected to the Minnesota state Senate in 1992, she was an independent insurance agent in Marshall.
In 1992, Lesewski was elected to the state Senate as a Republican. During her time in the Legislature, Lesewski had a focus on topics like the rural economy, agriculture and transportation. During her first two terms in office, she served on the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee. She served on the Senate Agriculture Committee for her entire time in office.
Both Seifert and former Minnesota Rep. Cal Ludeman, R-Tracy, said Lesewski was known for being a hard worker in state government, and someone who was well-regarded.
Seifert said one of Lesewski's achievements in the Legislature was in bringing forward bills that helped fund a major flood control project on the Redwood River in Marshall. The city of Marshall had experienced significant flooding in 1993.
Seifert said he remembered Lesewski as both a mentor and fellow legislator. Seifert was a college student on an internship when he served as Lesewski's campaign manager, and he learned some important lessons about campaigning from her.
"We would go to bars and restaurants, and she would say, 'I don't just want to talk to the owner. I want to talk to the waitress. I want to talk to the truck driver sitting at the counter,'" Seifert said. "Everybody here is not just a voter, everybody here has a story."
Seifert said Lesewski was also creative with her campaign literature, including schedules for Twins and Vikings games on the fliers. People were more likely to hang on to the sports schedules, he said.
When Seifert was later elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1996, Lesewski was source of knowledge about how state government worked.
"It was a reversal of roles, in a good way," he said. "She was good about working with area Democrats," and was able to introduce Seifert to other southwest Minnesota legislators.
"She said, regardless of party, we need to work for the region," Seifert said.
Lesewski retired in 2002 when Senate redistricting merged her district with that of former state Sen. Dennis Frederickson, R-New Ulm.
Outside of the Legislature, Lesewski was also active in her community. Ludeman said he knew Lesewski as an active part of the Lyon County Republicans.
"She knew a lot of people, and she was a very social person," he said.
Seifert said Lesewski was active at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and enjoyed bowling and playing cards.
"She was a fun person," he said.
A graveside service will be held for Lesewski at 1 p.m. on Nov. 14, at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.