REGIONAL - State Rep. David Dill, who represented a huge swath of northern Minnesota in the state Legislature for more than a dozen years, died Saturday at age 60.

Dill had been battling for his life since mid-July when he was hospitalized with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rapidly- growing cancer associated with organ transplant patients. The state legislator received a kidney transplant in 2010.

Funeral services for Dill will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Backus Auditorium in International Falls.

“Our entire area has lost a very good friend,” said Ruth Carlson, who has served as Dill’s campaign manager since he ran his first campaign for state office in 2002. “Every fisherman, logger, hunter and miner has lost a good friend.”

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, mourned the loss of a close friend and fellow legislator.

“It’s a way bigger loss than most people in his district may realize,” said Bakk. “Whether Republicans or Democrats were in charge, David always found a way to get things done for people in his district.”

Bakk said he would also miss his friend. “We snowmobiled together, fished and hunted together,” said Bakk. “He was a very close personal friend.”

In a statement issued early on Sunday, Gov. Mark Dayton described Dill as being “deeply committed to Minnesota.”

“As a legislator, he advocated tirelessly for the best interests of his district and the general welfare of our state,” Dayton stated. “I will miss him. At this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Tucky, and his son, Drake.”

Dayton will likely call a special election to replace Dill, whose district is the largest in the state in area.

Bakk said he hopes that prospective candidates will be those with some local government experience.

In the meantime, tributes to Dill have been pouring in from his colleagues.

“David was a good legislator and smart investor,” said Sen. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chisholm, “He was a common sense individual who only made decisions after he had all the facts. In fact, I believe some of his political stances changed over his political career as a result of his experiences.”

House DFL Leader Paul Thissen called Dill an effective legislator.

“He wore his success lightly and when he spoke, people listened because they knew he said what he really believed,” Thissen said “He didn’t play partisan games, and most often had common sense on his side.”

Former state representative and commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, Tony Sertich, said Dill was “one of the sharpest, most direct and funniest people I have ever met.”

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin praised Dill as a legislator “who understood what was truly important to the people he represented.”

“He worked to provide opportunity and improve the quality of life in northeastern Minnesota,” said Martin.

State Rep. Tom Anzelc, who considered Dill his closest colleague in the House, called Dill “a staunch defender of the Iron Range and the northern Minnesota way of life. That’s his legacy.”

An advocate

for his district

Dill was born in Indianapolis, Ind., but his family had a cabin on Crane Lake. He moved to the region full-time in 1980.

He first entered public service when he was hired as Orr’s city administrator, a position he held for 11 years.

Former Orr Mayor Dave Glowaski who had known Dill from their years in high school, said Dill was key in rebuilding Orr after a fire in the 1990s claimed most of the city’s downtown businesses.

“You couldn’t ask for a better guy to work with,” said Glowaski. “He was energetic and intelligent.”

Orr Mayor Joel Astleford echoed those sentiments at Monday’s Orr City Council meeting, which began with a moment of silence for Dill.

“Orr would not be in as good financial shape as it is without David,” said Astleford, who added that even as a state representative, Dill continued to look after Orr’s interests. The council will send a letter to Dill’s family expressing their gratitude for his service.

Dill also helped shepherd the creation of the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District to address failing sewage treatment systems, primarily along Gold Coast Drive.

He ran for state office and was elected to the Minnesota House in 2002. Carlson recalled when Dill approached her to serve as his campaign manager. “I said I would work hard for him under one condition, that he would work just as hard as a legislator,” said Carlson. Dill more than lived up to that promise, she said.

The district that Dill represented spanned hundreds of miles. District 3A encompasses most of Lake Superior’s North Shore and includes International Falls, Ely, Grand Marais and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Dill maintained homes in both Crane Lake and near International Falls, where he met his wife, Tucky.

International Falls Mayor Bob Anderson said Dill’s territory expanded into International Falls after the 2010 redistricting.

“He was just an excellent state representative,” said Anderson. “He stayed on top of the issues very well. Without a doubt, whoever takes his position is going to have some big shoes to fill.”

Bakk noted that Dill made his job as Senate Majority Leader easier.

“It took a big load off of me to have an extremely effective legislator in the House,” he said.

An avid sportsman

Dill wore his passion for the great outdoors on his sleeve. Early this year, he was appointed to the state’s Outdoor Heritage Council, a 12-member panel of legislators and private citizens who make key spending recommendations on how to spend more than $100 million in Legacy sales tax dollars to protect the state’s lakes, rivers, forest and prairies.

Dill, who had served as trails administrator for the Voyageur Trails Society Inc., fought hard for snowmobiling interests, as well as other outdoor recreation from angling to hunting.

“David Dill was an outspoken leader who represented his constituents in northeastern Minnesota with incredible passion and dedication,” said Congressman Rick Nolan, D-Minn. “His work and advocacy on behalf of sports men and women and our natural resources and tourist-based economy epitomized the reasons we live here. He loved the land. He loved to hunt and fish and be out of doors. And he was determined to pass those experiences forward to future generations of residents and visitors alike.”

Dill “left his mark through an unwavering commitment to our great outdoors,” U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said.

Dill’s concern for outdoor enthusiasts was epitomized by his work on behalf of senior George Krog from Two Harbors. Dill and Bakk led the passage of a bill that allows residents 84 years and older to take a doe without a permit.

“Maybe 200 people take advantage of this,” Dill said in an interview at the time. “Maybe 2,000, maybe it’s 5,000 — I really don’t care. This is something that every legislator in their term…has the opportunity to do: to help somebody.”

Anzelc said Dill “clearly believed our environment was precious,” but also promoted economic development in the region as a strong advocate for the timber and mining industries.

“He cherished the outdoors and became the go-to guy for many who respected his advice,” said Tomassoni, who said he would miss his good friend.

Dill’s politics

Dill was among the most conservative DFlers in the House, but Anzelc said his positions shifted over time and his compassion for the less fortunate tempered his views.

“David taught me a lot about business and I think I helped teach him a lot about the working man,” said Anzelc.

“He was probably the smartest member of our delegation,” Anzelc continued. “He really understood finance, banking and economic development. He was an excellent negotiator. He could be hard-nosed at times, but he never carried grudges and tried to stay above the fray.”

But as with any politician, Dill flirted with controversy. He and the city of Orr were investigated by the state auditor’s office at the request of the Duluth-based Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation. The organization alleged a conflict of interest when Dill served as Orr’s city administrator and was employed at the same time by the Voyageur Trail Society Inc.

The investigation found no criminal activity by Dill or the city, but criticized the city’s “sloppy” record-keeping.

Dill also came under suspicion when former City Clerk Sherri Erickson was fired. Erickson sued the city and eventually reached a settlement. Dill denied any involvement in the matter.

His first run for state office resulted in a fine when Dill exceeded state spending limits. His fine of $6,400 in civil penalties was among the largest ever issued by the state’s Campaign Finance and Public Disclosures Board.

Bakk said Dill didn’t have to subject himself to the public scrutiny that comes with serving in public office.

“He was very, very successful,” said Bakk. “He didn’t need the salary or health benefits, so he didn’t have to crack open his life. But he did seek public office for the right reason. He wanted to help people in his district.”

Anzelc said he and Dill differed on some issues, but that comes with the territory.

Dill, however, was seen as a mediating force by many of his colleagues in the House.

He was able to reach across the aisle to his Republican colleagues and had established himself as a legislator willing to listen and learn.

“He could work across the aisle because he was willing to listen and take advice,” said Glowaski. “But he wasn’t afraid to stand up on controversial issues.”

Bakk said Dill took some raps from DFLers who objected to his conservative views — including his allegiance to the pro-life movement.

But Bakk said he found it hard to be critical of someone who was simply acting on his own conscience.

“It’s easy to follow the herd, but to be able to break away is pretty courageous,” said Bakk. “And Dill’s conservative views were reflective of the district he represents.”

Dill didn’t always align with the Republicans. He was a strong supporter of labor and workers’ rights, and bristled at anti-worker legislation proposed by Republicans, said Bakk, who said Dill earned high ranks from labor.

Education was another priority for Dill. St. Louis County School District Superintendent Steve Sallee praised Dill’s support for education and said he will be missed.

Dill also took time to deal with individual constituents’ concerns. “When constituents had problems with a state agency or paperwork got lost on some bureaucrat’s desk, they would call Dill and me.” Bakk said. “I’d start to work on it and find that David already had the wheels in motion to solve the problem.”

Health issues

Dill struggled with health issues most of his life. He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes when he was in his early 20s, but acknowledged that he didn’t take his health concerns seriously and saw his weight balloon past 300 pounds.

“My mistake was not taking responsibility for my disease,” he told the Timberjay after receiving a kidney transplant in 2010, “and that started the onset of my kidney failure.”

Earlier that same year, Dill had undergone gastric bypass surgery and shed more than 150 pounds. The sudden weight loss prompted rumors that Dill had cancer, which he squashed in an interview with the Timberjay.

Dill also suffered from an irregular heartbeat that required a pacemaker to be installed.

Despite his health struggles, Dill rarely complained and his energy didn’t flag, said Anzelc.

“He never let his health impact his job,” said Bakk. “That’s just how incredibly effective he was.”

Dill, who was re-elected in November with more than 65 percent of the vote in his district, was serving his seventh term as a state legislator. He was chairman of the Lands Subcommittee and was the DFL leader on the Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy Committee. He also served on the House Agriculture Finance Committee, the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee, and the Greater Minnesota Economic and Workforce Development Policy Committee.

Dill had also been chairman of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, which has traditionally toggled between the House and Senate.

“I am deeply saddened at the loss of David Dill,” said IRRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips, who said Dill’s experience as a businessman was an asset on the board. Phillips said Dill had only chaired a single meeting and he expects the board to select another House representative to complete his term as chairman. That decision could likely be made in September at the next board meeting, he said.

When Dill was away from the Legislature, he enjoyed spending time with his wife, Tucky, and son, Drake.

The two issued a statement on Monday, which said, “We are so appreciative of all the kind words and prayers for David and us during this special journey.”

During his breaks from the Legislature, Dill served as a consultant, commercial pilot and an aircraft and power plant mechanic. He and Drake operated Thunderhook Fly-In, a fly-in fishing guide service in northwestern Ontario, about 350 miles from Crane Lake.

Anzelc said Dill had been after him to come to his fishing camp. “I was finally able to manage it this year,” said Anzelc, who will depart with four couples for the camp this weekend. “He was so proud of that business. But it won’t be the same without David there.”