Son Follows In Dad’s Footsteps As Minnesota Mayor

NORTH MANKATO (AP) -- The new mayor of North Mankato is carrying on a family tradition.

Forty-nine-year-old Mark Dehen was sworn in as mayor of the south-central Minnesota city Monday night - 30 years after his late father, Dave Dehen, did the same.

Mark Dehen is a North Mankato chiropractor who defeated Mayor Gary Zellmer in November. His dad, known as "Doc," also was a chiropractor who was first elected mayor of North Mankato in 1980 and served 14 years.

Mark Dehen said he was thinking of his father during the City Council meeting and appreciated "his setting the example of public service."

Dave Dehen started as mayor of Eagle Lake 40 years ago. After serving as North Mankato mayor, he served on the Nicollet County Board.