Esther Fieldman was civic activist ; A lifelong DFL Party supporter and mentor, she was the first Jewish woman elected to the state Legislature.: [METRO Edition]

Although Esther Fieldman, a longtime resident of Park Rapids, Minn., once served a term in the Legislature, she is most remembered for her grassroots work for the DFL Party and the counsel she gave budding politicians across the state.

Fieldman, who just months ago was handing out campaign literature in her St. Louis Park senior citizens' apartment building, died Friday in her home. Fieldman, who had moved to St. Louis Park in 2002 to be near family, was 91.

Her husband, Max, ran for a legislative seat in 1958, but lost. He told his wife, "It's your turn," said their daughter, Ardis Wexler of Edina. Two years later Fieldman ran and won. She served on the...