Gretchen Quie
Gretchen Marie Quie (née Hansen; August 4, 1927 – December 13, 2015) was an American artist, painter, potter, writer, and advocate for the arts. Quie served as the First Lady of Minnesota from 1979 until 1983 during the administration of her husband, Governor Al Quie. As First Lady, Quie established the State Ceremonial Building Council to oversee the restoration of the Minnesota Governor's Residence. She also opened the Governor's Mansion to the general public through programs including, "Night at the Mansion," which chose Minnesotans through a lottery to spend the night at the residence. Al and Gretchen Quie invited a family of Vietnamese refugees to live at the Governor's Residence's renovated carriage house to encourage Minnesotans to sponsor more refugees.
Gretchen Quie | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Minnesota | |
| In role January 4, 1979 – January 3, 1983 | |
| Governor | Al Quie |
| Preceded by | Lola Perpich |
| Succeeded by | Lola Perpich |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gretchen Marie Hansen August 4, 1927 Waverly, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | December 13, 2015 (aged 88) Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Spouse | |
| Alma mater | St. Olaf College |
| Occupation | Artist |
Her official manuscripts are housed in the collection of the Minnesota Historical Society.