Lorna Buntrock Herseth (April 5, 1909 – September 8, 1994) was an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as Secretary of State of South Dakota from 1973 to 1979.
Lorna Buntrock Herseth | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of State of South Dakota | |
| In office 1973–1979 | |
| Preceded by | Alma Larson |
| Succeeded by | Alice Kundert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 5, 1909 Columbia, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | September 8, 1994 (aged 85) Houghton, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (granddaughter) |
| Profession | Teacher |
Personal life
editHerseth was born in Columbia, South Dakota on April 5, 1909.[1][2] Her parents, Albert and Ida Yeske Buntrock, were German immigrants.[3] She was the youngest of 11 children.[3] Herseth attended Northern State Teacher's College and earned a teaching credential after two years of study.[4][2]
She married Ralph Herseth, who served as Governor of South Dakota from 1959 to 1961, on December 23, 1937.[1][2] They had dated for nine years prior to getting married.[4] Together they had three children, Karen, Connie, and Ralph Lars.[2]
Their son, Ralph Lars Herseth, served in the South Dakota State Legislature.[1] Their granddaughter, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, served in the United States House of Representatives.[1] Herseth served as mentor to Sandlin.[4] During her life, Herseth lived in Houghton, South Dakota and in Pierre, South Dakota.[1][2] She was a Lutheran.[1] She died at her home on the Herseth Ranch in Houghton on September 8, 1994, and was buried in Houghton Cemetery.[1][5]
Career
editAfter college, Herseth taught in the Brown County public schools as well as in urban schools.[2][4] In 1936, Herseth was elected as Brown County Superintendent of Schools.[6][4][2] For seven years, she served on Brown County's Reorganization School Board.[2] She later served on the Selby School Board.[2]
Four years after Ralph's death, activists approached Herseth about running for state office herself.[4] She twice was elected Secretary of State of South Dakota, and served from 1973 to 1979.[6]
Public service
editHerseth served on the board of directors for the Brown County Red Cross and as the state director of the Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children and Adults.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Herseth, Lorna B. (1909-1994)". Political Graveyard. August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The First Ladies of South Dakota" (PDF). South Dakota State Historical Society. 1973. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ a b "Calendar marks celebration of 100 years of Buntrocks". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. June 13, 1987. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Adams, Katherine H. (July 1, 2019). Claiming Her Place in Congress: Women from American Political Families as Legislators. McFarland. p. 150. ISBN 978-1-4766-3717-4. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ "Former secretary of state dies at 85". Argus Leader. September 9, 1994. p. 2B. Retrieved May 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Legacy of Achievement: Hall of Fame Inductee Stephanie". South Dakota Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 19, 2020.