Nominations Sought for 2026 Clearwater County First Lady
Nominations Sought for 2026 First Lady
The 2026 Clearwater County First Lady will be held on April 11 at the Bagley American Legion Auditorium. The Bagley Auxiliary will be co-hosting the event.
Since 1977, Forty- six women in Clearwater County have been recognized as a Clearwater County “First Lady” for their accomplishments either for their service in a variety of community projects and organizations or for success in their careers.
Your help is needed to select the 2026 recipient. If you know a woman who should be considered for the award, please send a letter with her name and include your reasons for her nomination- this can include any accomplishments in her life such as her career highlights or volunteer years of service and other characteristics that you think should be considered. First Lady nominees must currently live in Clearwater County, and be able to attend the event on April 11. Nominations of women of all ages are encouraged.
If you have nominated someone previously, be sure to send in a new nomination. Please include your name and phone number or email so we can let you know if your nominee is selected.
Letters should be sent to
2026 First Lady - History Center P.O. Box 241 Bagley MN 56621
Letters will be delivered unopened to a selection committee.
Please do not send emails.
Nominations must be received by March 1.
Questions? Call Tamara at 218-785-2000
Our Past First Ladies
1977- Laurel Carlson
1978- Edith Refshaw
1979- Mangeline Kirkeby
1980- Arlene Cease
1981-Dorothy Katzenmeyer
1982- Adeline Beltz
1983- Sharon Dukek
1984- Olga Peterson
1985- Lois Bromaghin
1986- Dolores Johnson
1987- Zella Tangjerd
1988- Ruth Offerdahl
1989- Karen Gesell
1991- Lucille Kildal
1993- Judy Carver
1994- Ruth Anderson
1995- Marilyn Melby
1996- Alma Burr
1997- Hennie Merseth
1998- Mildred Mathison
1999- Lila Strandlien
2000- Dee Strandlien
2001- Grace Nelson
2002- Lillian Sauer
2003- Crystal Schmitz
2005- Charlotte Stoker
2006- Vivian Torkildson
2007- Betty Johnson
2008- Ardella Lindberg
2009- Darlene Sawyer
2010 - Linda Kaul
2011- Opal Friborg
2012- Shirley Gunderson
2013- Lois Hoie
2014- Marilyn Stinar
2015- Ardis Thompson
2016- Eileen Lien
2017- Alice Gunderson
2018- Donna Rae Jacobson
2019- Elaine Johnson
2020 - Marilyn Ames
2021- Sharon Braaten
2022- Janice Feil
2023- Gladys Luecken
2024- Eileen Vorderbruggen
2025- Ruth Halvorson