ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

STELLA H. FRITZELL PAPERS

COLLECTION: OGL #1287

DATES: 1956-1984;bulk dates,1960-1980

SIZE: 1 linear ft.

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The Stella H. Fritzell Papers were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by her daughter, Sara Hanhan, Grand Forks, North Dakota, on May 27, 1994 (Acc.#94-1956).

ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Stella (Houge) Fritzell was born October 3, 1909 in Bucyrus, ND. She was educated at Cando, ND and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1930. She worked as a dietician intern at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. In 1933, she married Dr. Kenneth Fritzell at Aneta, ND. In 1946, they moved to Grand Forks, after having lived in Minneapolis, Mn; Menlo Park, CA; and Glenwood Spring, CO. They raised two sons, Peter and Erik, and two daughters, Sara and Anne, who died at the age of 18.

Stella was a stockbroker with Piper, Jaffray, and Hopwood in Grand Forks from 1959 to 1971. In 1972, she was elected to the North Dakota Senate, and re-elected in 1976 and 1980. Fritzell was also a delegate to the state Constitutional Convention in 1972. In addition, she served on many boards and committees, including the state Board of Park Commissioners, the Grand Forks Park Board for 14 years, the Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission, and in 1979, she was appointed a permanent member of the state judicial nominating committee. In 1975, she was elected chair-woman of the legislative bi-partisan women's caucus. The North Dakota Wildlife Federation named her Legislative Conservationist of the Year for 1976. Fritzell enjoyed hunting, golfing, and painting. Stella Fritzell died April 4, 1984 in Grand Forks at the age of 74.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Stella H. Fritzell Papers consist of one box of material dating from 1960 to 1984. With few exceptions, correspondence is in-coming and concerns political or environmental issues.

The papers have been arranged in six series. Series I, Biographical Information, contains Stella Fritzell's obituary, resumes, engagement books (1981-1983), certificates, and Christmas letters (1962-1969). Series II, Political Papers contain correspondence, as well as materials related to Fritzell's campaigns and elections, the ND Legislature (1972-1984), ND Constitutional Convention (1972), ND Republican Convention (1974-1980), Bureau of Government Affairs (1972 & 1974), and women in politics. Series III, Conservation and Environment contains correspondence, as well as programs and agendas pertaining to ND wildlife, environment, soil conservation, and Grand Forks city beautification. Series IV, Speeches and Publications, contains two political speeches given by Fritzell as well as graduation programs from high schools where she gave the commencement address. Commencement addresses are not included. This series also includes two articles written by Fritzell about abortion and economic development, as well as miscellaneous publications that refer to Fritzell or concern an issue with which she was interested. Series V, Clubs, Committees, and Hobbies contains information related to the North Dakota Heart Association (1964-1966), Grand Forks Rotary Club (1959- 1975), and miscellaneous art work. Series VI, Newspaper Clippings includes articles dealing with campaigns and elections, legislative bills on various topics, women in politics, the Wildlife Federation, speeches given by Fritzell, as well as her art and trapshooting hobbies.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

SERIES I

BOX 1

Folder 1.  Biographical information-newspaper clippings-obituary and other articles 
           written shortly after Stella H. Fritzell's death.

       2.  Resumes.  (undated)

       3.  Certificates of appreciation, attendance, and membership in various 
           societies and organizations.           (1962-1979)

       4.  Engagement book and almanac.  (1981)

       5.  Engagement book.  (1982-1983)

       6.  Christmas letters from the Fritzell's. (1962-1969)     

       7.  Miscellaneous material. 
           -play program 
           -quote about Fritzell 

SERIES II

Folder 8. Political correspondence. (1956-1982)

       9. Political correspondence. (1983-1984)

      10. Political invitations. (1972-1983)

      11. Correspondence concerning Stella Fritzell's appointment to positions.
          (1968 1 1981)

      12. Campaign materials (1976-1978).

      13. Certificates of nomination and election (1970-1982).

      14. Constitutional Convention and Legislative Assembly information 1972
          (Biographies of delegates and staff for 1971)

      15. Legislative Session booklets (1973-1983)

      16. Legislative Council Committees Updates (1975-1976) and Legislative Council 
          Committees (1973-1975)

      17. Legislative Assembly Seating Arrangements (1972-1984)

      18. North Dakota Senate Select Committees.

      19. Women in Legislature. 
          -List of ND women legislators. (1923-1977) 
          -List of League of Women Voters of Grand Forks. (1970) 
          -National Order of Women Legislators.(1973) 

      20. North Dakota state republican convention booklets. (1974-1980)

      21. Republican Women's Day finances. (1979)

      22. Summit conference agendas for the Bureau of Governmental Affairs. 
          (1972 and 1974)

      23. Women's Auxiliary programs and agendas (1964, 1967-1968)

SERIES III

Folder 24. Fish and Wildlife correspondence. (1971-1983)

       25. Conservation and Environmental Correspondence. (1972-1983)

       26. North Dakota Wildlife Federation programs, agendas, and reports. 
           (1971-1978)

       27. Environmental programs, agendas, and information. (1974-1975)

       28. Soil Conservation programs and agendas. (1973-1976) 

       29. Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce annual reports-environmental and city 
           beautification. (1972)

       30. Grand Forks Audubon Society Committees. (1972)

SERIES IV

 Folder 31. Speeches given by Fritzell. 
            -"Economic Development of Disaster" 
            -"The Legislature and Future of Wildlife" 

       32. Miscellaneous Speeches. (1974-1977)

       33. Miscellaneous publications with reference to or concern of StellaFritzell. 
           (1960-1983)

       34. Publications with articles written by Stella Fritzell. 
           -"Rhadamanthus" (NOV/DEC 1974) 
           -"Prolife Potpourri" (OCT 1976) 

SERIES V

Folder 35. Art. (1962 and 1985)

       36. North Dakota Heart Association. (1694-1966)

       37. Rotary Club. (1959-1975)

SERIES VI

 Folder 38. Newspaper clippings.
            -Campaigning and other legislative issues.

        39. Newspaper clippings.
            -Hobbies and other special activities.

        40. Newspaper clippings.
            -Honorary speeches and other discussions given by Stella Fritzell.

        41. Newspaper clippings. 
            -Legislative bills concerning abortion and sex offenses.

        42. Newspaper clippings. 
            -Legislative bills concerning the drinking age.

        43. Newspaper clippings. 
            -Legislative bills concerning miscellaneous issues.

        44. Newspaper clippings. 
            -Legislative bills concerning the Park Board and other ecological issues.

        45. Newspaper clippings. 
            -Legislative bills concerning zoning and city planning.

        46. Newspaper clippings. 
            -Positions held by Stella Fritzell.

        47. Newspaper clippings.
            -Special honors and awards received by Stella Fritzell.

        48. Newspaper clippings. 
            -Miscellaneous issues form weather to information about Fritzell.

        49. Newspaper clippings.
            -Women in the legislature and other women's groups.

        50. Newspaper clippings. 
            -Wildlife Federation, hunting and game bills, etc.

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