Anita Lourene Mittelsted, 94, of Austin, Minnesota, died Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, at Comforcare in Austin, Minnesota.

She was born May 8, 1921, in Faribault, Minnesota, to Sigsbee and Jennie (Markuson) Seljeskog. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis before attending the University of Minnesota and Hamline University, where she majored in chemistry. After college, she assisted with testing new veterinary drugs and met her future husband, Gale Walter Mittelsted. Anita and Gale were married in 1945 and moved to Chaska. Gale, “Doc,” opened a veterinary clinic and Anita assisted at his practice. Together they shared a passion for large game and bird hunting. While living in Chaska they raised four children. The family often spent weekends camping at Gehl Ranch, along the Minnesota River in Carver, before moving there in 1972.

Anita was actively involved with a large variety of social groups including Sweet Adeline’s, Eastern Star, bridge club, Sons of Norway, Hazeltine’s National Golf Club, Red Hat Society and the Governor’s 1006 Society. Anita became involved with politics as a Republican Party delegate and quickly rose to become the State of Minnesota chairwoman. She held positions on the League of Women Voters, Met Council, Minnesota Ag Board and Minnesota Republican Women. Anita worked with President George H. Bush as well as many legislators including Frenzel, Ramstad and Durenberger. In 1993, Anita moved to Kenyon, Minnesota, and 10 years later to Austin, Minnesota. She continued to be active in community outreach as a Mounted Posse, Deputy Sheriff, first responder, and election judge. She helped support building three new county jails. She served on leadership boards for Mower County Senior Center, Hormel Historic Home and Morning Lions Club. In 2006, Anita was honored as the Mower County Senior Queen.

Anita is preceded in death by her husband, Gale; parents, Sigsbee and Jennie Seljeskog.

She is survived by siblings, Edward (Margaret) Seljeskog, Elaine Spetz; children, Heidi Myers, Gehl (Renea) Mittelsted, Peter (Diane) Mittelsted, Greta (Greg) Schneider; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She will be missed by all that knew her.

A memorial gathering will be on Saturday, March 5, 2016. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with service following at 3 p.m. at Worlein Funeral Home. There will be a private family interment. Memorials are preferred to Mower County Senior Center in Austin. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.