Paul Overgaard

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.

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. Overgaard died on February 4, 2022, at the age of 91.

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:
 * Civil Administration Committee
 * Employees Compensation Committee
 * Highways Committee
 * Recreation and Water Resources Committee
 * Taxes Committee
 * University and College Committee

For the 64th legislative session, Overgaard was a part of:
 * Employees Compensation Committee
 * General Legislation and Veterans Affairs Committee
 * Highways Committee
 * Municipal Affairs Committee
 * Taxes Committee

For the 63rd legislative session, Overgaard was a part of:
 * Cooperatives and Marketing Committee
 * Employees Compensation Committee
 * Industrial and Employee Relations Committee
 * Metropolitan and Urban Affairs Committee
 * Municipal Affairs Committee
 * Recreation and Water Resources Committee

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).

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:
 * Civil Administration Committee
 * Commerce and Insurance Committee
 * Education Committee
 * Labor Relations Committee
 * Local Government Committee
 * Regulated Industries Committee

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.