Gerald L. Willet was born October 31, 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. He spent his childhood years in the north central Minnesota towns of Walker, Crosby, Ironton, and Laporte. After graduating from Laporte High School, Willet first worked for Reserve Mining Company as an operating engineer. On May 2, 1955, he married Anita Ware of Bemidji, Minnesota. During the next nine years they lived in Minnesota, New York, Ohio, California, and Oregon, where Willet held numerous construction jobs. In 1964 they settled in Park Rapids, Minnesota and began a furniture business.
In 1970 Willet was elected on the DFL ticket to the Minnesota State Senate from District 65. Following reapportionment in 1972, Willet represented the 4th District, comprising Hubbard County, most of Cass, and parts of Beltrami, Itasca, Wadena, and Morrison counties in the North Central and Central regions of Minnesota. The district includes the city of Bemidji, as well as the Leech Lake and Red Lake Indian Reservations. Agriculture and tourism, as well as education (Bemidji State University), are major industries and activities of the area.
During his seventeen years as a legislator, Willet was an active member of many senate committees, most notably the Finance Committee (1973-1987), of which he was chair from 1981 to 1986, and the Agriculture and Natural Resources/Environment and Natural Resources Committee (1971-1987), which he chaired during 1977-1980 and in 1987. Other committee assignments include Elections and Reapportionment (1971-1972, 1981-1982), Elections and Ethics (1983-1988), Rules and Administration (1978-1988), Employment (1977-1978), Health and Welfare (1971-1972), and Local Government (1975-1976). Among Willet's most important legislative accomplishments is the Payment in Lieu of Tax bill of 1979 (S.F. 439), which provides a payment to the local units of government for a portion of the taxes they would normally receive on state natural resource lands within their jurisdiction. Willet was particularly active in issues involving agriculture, resorts, fishing and hunting, parks and recreation areas, and Indian affairs. In 1987 Willet resigned his senate seat to accept a position as Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
From the guide to the Gerald L. Willet legislative files., 1972-1987 (bulk 1977-1987)., (Minnesota Historical Society)
