elected to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. He resigned that post in 1975 in order to seek treatment for alcoholism. His alcohol addiction eventually led to the end of his 37-year marriage, but he overcame his heavy drinking in the 1980s. Rolvaag stayed out of politics the rest of his life, but helped others work through their problems with alcoholism, attending meetings and giving talks in places as nearby as his hometown of Northfield and as far off as Sweden. Rolvaag died at his home in Northfield on December 20, 1990, aged 77, having been ill with a heart condition. References Sources Minnesota Historical Society, Karl F. (Fritjof) Rolvaag The New York Times, Ex-Gov. Karl Rolvaag, Minnesotan, 78, Dies, December 21, 1990 Papers Correspondence, political files, subject files, personal files, news clippings, print materials, and sound and visual materials of Karl F. Rolvaag are available for research use at the Minnesota Historical Society. |- 1913 births 1990 deaths People from Northfield, Minnesota Military personnel from Minnesota American Lutherans American people of Norwegian descent Democratic Party governors of Minnesota Lieutenant Governors of Minnesota Ambassadors of the United States to Iceland St. Olaf College alumni 20th-century American politicians 20th-century Lutherans