Theodore Wenzlaff

Theodore Wenzlaff
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 32nd district
In office
December 5, 1968 – January 7, 1971
Preceded byEric Rasmussen
Succeeded byRichard Maresh
Personal details
Born(1903-01-08)January 8, 1903
Yankton, South Dakota
DiedJune 21, 1988(1988-06-21) (aged 85)
Sutton, Nebraska
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Frieda Griess
​
(m. 1927)​
Children3 (Marianne, William, Kathleen)
EducationUnited States Military Academy (B.S.)
Hastings College (B.A.)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service
1926–1955

Theodore Charles Wenzlaff (January 8, 1903 – June 21, 1988) was a Republican politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 32nd district from 1968 to 1971.

Early life

Wenzlaff was born in Yankton, South Dakota, and grew up in Sutton, Nebraska, graduating from Sutton High School in 1921.[1] He attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1926.[1] Wenzlaff joined the U.S. Army in 1926, and served until 1955.[1] Wenzlaff served for four years during World War II and during the Korean War, and retired as a colonel in 1955.[2] Upon returning to Nebraska, he taught at Sutton High School.[1]

In 1959, Wenzlaff ran for the Sutton City Council, and was elected unopposed.[3] He ran for a second term in 1961 and was defeated.[4]

Nebraska Legislature

In 1968, State Senator Eric Rasmussen was elected to the Nebraska Public Service Commission. Rasmussen resigned his seat in the legislature on December 5, 1968, so that Governor Norbert Tiemann could appoint a successor prior to the legislature's special session beginning on December 9, 1968.[5] Tiemann appointed Wenzlaff to serve out the remainder of Rasmussen's term.[6] Though state legislative races were formally nonpartisan, Rasmussen and Wenzlaff were both Republicans, and his appointment did not alter the composition of the body.[6]

Wenzlaff ran for a full term in 1970.[7] He was challenged by newspaper publisher Al Bonta, farmer Melvin Kuska, Milligan School Board member Richard Maresh, and grain dealer Larry Logan.[8] Wenzlaff placed third in the primary, winning 17 percent of the vote to Maresh's 29 percent and Ruska's 21 percent.[9][10] Wenzlaff was one of three senators, two of which were appointed by Tiemann, to lose renomination in the primary election.[11]

Death

Wenzlaff died on June 21, 1988.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Nebraska Blue Book 1968 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1969. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Ex-Sen. Wenzlaff Of Sutton Is Dead". Omaha World-Herald. June 23, 1988. p. 52. Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Sutton Nominees Win". Hastings Tribune. April 8, 1959. p. 9. Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Candidates Are Named for City, School Offices". Clay County News. Sutton, Nebraska. March 2, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Rasmussen Post Vacant". Sunday World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. December 1, 1968. p. 49. Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 "Wenzlaff To Unicam". Lincoln Evening Journal. December 5, 1968. p. 21. Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "3 Solons Seek Re-Election". Lincoln Star. January 21, 1970. p. 10. Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "We'll PIck One of Them in November". Alexandria Argus. May 14, 1970. p. 4. Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Marsh, Frank (1970). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 12, 1970, General Election, November 3, 1970 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Incumbent Senators Roughed by Voters". Omaha World-Herald. May 13, 1970. p. 78. Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Harsh Gives Loss Blame To Tiemann". Omaha World-Herald. June 12, 1970. p. 17. Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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