Ted Nicholas Niskanen

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Niskanen, Ted Nicholas Age 86 of Carver. Preceded in death by his wife, Dana. Survived by sons, George, Sam (Lynn), Will (Teresa); daughter, Lora Herman; grandchildren, Celina, Kyle, Evan and Luke; brothers, David (Annette), Tom Niskanen; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Ted started his journey on his family's farm near Pequot lakes, MN, where he inherited his Finnish father's work ethic. His hometown school days at Pequot were a busy balance of farm work, varsity basketball and football. Like so many of his generation, Ted answered his country's call to service, serving honorably in the US Army as a military policeman, serving at Fort Campbell, KY, Ft. Belvior, VA., and Ft. Bragg, NC. in 1954, Ted left the army to attend the University of Minnesota, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Forestry and Natural Resources management. During this time, Ted pulled some college friends together to start "North Star Trees," a small tree service. While on campus in St. Paul, Ted met his future wife, Dana Hooper. Ted and Dana were married in St. Paul in 1957. After Ted and Dana started their married life in Waconia, MN. Ted served as a regional forester, advising landowners in the seven-county area in the areas of soil and water conservation and care of their woodlots. Ted's humanitarian side served him well while heading up the Scott-Carver Economic Council (which was part of the Johnson administration's anti-poverty initiative). During this time, he started his life-long association with the Native American tribes in Minnesota. An early champion of anti-poverty initiatives like the Head Start program, Ted firmly believed (sometimes with opposition) in the government's role in helping people. This led him to his lifelong career working for the State of Minnesota, starting with the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity and ending with The Minnesota Dept. of Children, Families, and Learning. Crisscrossing the state -acting on his belief of recognizing the dignity of all humans, Ted focused on co-creating opportunities through education and job creation. In general, his work took him to the far corners of Minnesota, breathing life into any project that would help the disadvantaged. While doing all this, his home was Wood River Farm near Carver. With the help of his wife, Dana, Ted with his children (oft referred to as 'the crew') integrated many of his conservation practices. Ted practiced what he preached. In his final days, true to his character- he was still talking about solutions to problems that still plague those who are on the fringes of our society. Memorial service is Monday, August 13th, 1:00 PM with time of sharing starting at 12 PM, all at Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church, 145 Engler Blvd., Chaska. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred. Inurnment will be at Ft Snelling National Cemetery. bertasfh.com 952-448-2137

Published on August 5, 2018