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Former USDA leader, Wisconsin lawmaker Nelsen remembered

A former USDA official and six-term Wisconsin Assembly member has died. 

Betty Jo Nelsen served in the administration of President George H. W. Bush as administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service within the United States Department of Agriculture, and in 1992, was nominated to serve as assistant secretary of agriculture for food and consumer services.  Before that, Nelsen was in the State Assembly following a special election in 1979.  She also made history as Wisconsin’s first woman selected to serve as Assembly Minority Leader.

Services will be held Monday, December 2^nd in Milwaukee.  She was 89.

Governor Tony Evers has ordered flags flown at half-staff Monday in honor of Nelsen.