Barbara Allivato, a 'force in DFL politics'

Barbara Allivato was an active DFLer who cut her political teeth as a teenager, calling on voters door to door and eventually becoming an adviser to former Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser.

Allivato, a former banker and nonprofit leader who helped minorities and women obtain loans for homes and businesses, died unexpectedly at her Edina home June 10.

Allivato, who had suffered from heart disease and diabetes, was 70.

From the late 1980s until 1993, she served as Fraser's scheduler and adviser.

"She felt quite at ease in politics, and had self-confidence," said Fraser. "She was always watching and reading, involved intellectually, as well as practically, when campaigns came along."

Fraser called her a longtime friend, and said she was enormously helpful because she worked so well with people, and knew so many.

After graduating from Edina High School in 1956, she studied finance at the University of Minnesota.

At the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, she was a volunteer for then-presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy.

Allivato worked for the First National Bank of Minneapolis (now U.S. Bank) for 31 years, first as a loan officer, then leading efforts for the bank in urban development and community outreach.

Jim Hetland of Minneapolis, a retired First National executive, said she helped launch new housing in north Minneapolis.

"She reached across all lines, and could work with anyone and everyone," said Hetland. "Her whole life was for the community."

While a banker, she established nonprofit organizations, such as the Central Community Housing Trust to develop low-income housing and the Women's Economic Development Corp. to assist low-income women in starting their own businesses.

After Fraser left office, she went to work for the Minneapolis Community Development Agency, establishing its Business Link group to help business owners navigate tangled regulations.

She stopped working in the early 2000s, after open heart surgery.

Charles Neerland of Minneapolis, a former deputy mayor under former Minneapolis Mayor Albert Hofstede, called her "an absolute force in DFL politics."

At campaign time, she continued to stump for her candidates door to door.

"She would work morning, noon and night to get her people elected," said Neerland, adding that she held party leadership positions in her political district.

She served on civic boards, such as Catholic Charities, Women Venture and Aeon, formerly the Central Community Housing Trust.

In addition to her brother, she is survived by her sister, Teresa Sorensen of Donnelly, Minn., and several nieces and nephews.