Karen Muenster
Karen Muenster | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Dakota Senate | |
| Assumed office 1985–1992 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Karen K. Nelsen October 15, 1942 Deshler, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Theodore R. Muenster Jr. |
| Children | 3 (including MK Pritzker) |
| Education | Sacred Heart Women's College University of Nebraska–Lincoln |
| Occupation | politician businesswoman |
Karen K. Muenster (née Nelsen; born October 15, 1942) is an American politician and businesswoman. A Democrat, she served in the South Dakota Senate from 1985 to 1992 and as the minority whip from 1988 to 1992. She previously served on the Vermillion City Council.
Early life and education
[edit]Muenster was born on October 15, 1942 in Deshler, Nebraska.[1] She grew up in Hebron, Nebraska.[2] She was educated at private Catholic institutions, graduating from Mount Carmel Academy and Sacred Heart Women's College in Wichita, Kansas.[1] Muenster went on to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta and served as president of the Young Democrats.[2][1]
Career
[edit]Muenster is a businesswoman and a self-employed historic property renovator.[1]
Muenster began her political career serving o the Vermillion, South Dakota city council.[1] She was elected to serve in the South Dakota Senate in 1984 as a representative of the fifteenth district in northern Sioux Falls.[1][3][4] She was reelected in 1986 and in 1988, serving in the senate from 1985 to 1992.[5][1] She was appointed to the executive board of the Legislative Research Council in 1987 and was elected Democratic minority whip in 1988.[1] She served on the state affairs, judiciary, and commerce committees.[1]
She was a member of the 1986 National Democratic Policy Commission, served as precinct committeewoman of the National Democratic Women's Club, and was a board member of the Civic Fine Arts Board.[1]
Personal life
[edit]She married Theodore R. "Ted" Muenster Jr., a native of Beatrice, Nebraska whom she met in college, and moved with him to South Dakota in 1967.[3][2] They lived in Vermillion, Pierre, and Sioux Falls.[3] They have three children, Ted, Tom, and Mary Kathryn.[3][4]
Legacy
[edit]In 2009, the Theodore R. and Karen K. Muenster University Center at the University of South Dakota was named in honor of Muenster and her husband for their contributions to the school.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Karen K. Muenster". South Dakota Legislature's Legislative Research Council. Pierre, South Dakota: South Dakota Legislature. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ted Muenster". Nebraska Alumni Association Quarterly Magazine. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Hall of Fame Inductee Ted Muenster". South Dakota Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Sneed, Michael (January 6, 2023). "First lady M.K. Pritzker on husband Gov. J.B. Pritzker, interviewing incarcerated women, family". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
- ^ "Karen Muenster". Eagleton Institute of Politics. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
- ^ "USD to dedicate Muenster University Center on Friday May 15". University of South Dakota. Vermillion, South Dakota. May 13, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
- Living people
- 1942 births
- 20th-century American women politicians
- 20th-century American businesswomen
- Businesspeople from Nebraska
- Democratic Party South Dakota state senators
- Muenster family
- Newman University, Wichita alumni
- People from Hebron, Nebraska
- People from Vermillion, South Dakota
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni
- Women city councillors in South Dakota
- Women state legislators in South Dakota