Representative Kristen Dexter in Eau Claire, WI

About Kristen

Kristen Dexter was born and raised in Hallock, Minnesota, in the far northwestern corner of the state, on the farm where her dad was born and where her parents still live. She thrived on the work and play that farm life offered, and especially liked haying, fishing, riding horse, and playing in the woods and river. Her favorite chore was driving the 3 miles on back roads to a neighboring dairy farm to buy the weekly milk.

One of the most important people in Kristen’s life during these years was her grandma, Eleanor. Eleanor suffered from crippling rheumatoid arthritis and Kristen’s family was committed to helping her live an independent, dignified life. Eleanor had to retire early from teaching because of her disability but loved teaching so much that she continued tutoring special needs students at her house in town until she became too disabled for even that. Kristen and her grandma spent hours looking through National Geographic magazine, and this helped inspire Kristen’s love of travel.

When Kristen turned 14 she got her first off-the-farm job at the local "Dairy Whirl", and continued to work throughout high school and college. Her savings, plus help from her parents and student loans, enabled her to become a first generation college student. Two years at Moorhead State (MN) were followed by a year as an exchange student at the University of Oregon in Eugene. After returning from Eugene, Kristen worked and saved money for a semester abroad and spent the next 6 months in Lund, Sweden, and backpacked throughout Scandinavia and behind the "Iron Curtain" into East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary before returning to Minnesota.

Representative Kristen Dexter is a member of Eau Claire Area Chamber of commerce Since 2008.