Jeanne Poppe

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Jeanne E. Poppe (born July 6, 1957) is a Minnesota politician and former state representative. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represented District 27B in the southeastern part of the state from January 4, 2005, to January 5, 2021.

Early life and education
Poppe was born in Houston, Minnesota, and graduated from Houston High School in 1975. She earned a B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls in 1980 and a Master of Science in Counseling from Winona State University in 1985.

Career before and during the legislature
She is an educator and counselor at Riverland Community College, serving campuses in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna. At Riverland, she has held roles including college counselor since 1999, director of admissions (1995–1999), and women's center director (1993–1995). She also worked as a workforce career counselor for the Private Industry Council (1989–1993) and as a senior citizens’ paralegal for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (1984–1989). Poppe served as president of the Minnesota State College Faculty Counselors Association (2002–2004).

Community involvement
Poppe has been active in Austin, Minnesota: she served on the city council (Ward 2) from 1994 to 2002, was secretary of the Austin Human Rights Commission (2002–2004), and has been a trustee of the Austin Area Foundation since 2003 and a member of the Austin Area League of Women Voters since 1987.

Political career
She ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota House in 2002 against Jeff Anderson, but defeated Anderson in 2004 and began serving in 2005. Poppe was reelected in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. She was unseated in the 2020 election. She served in the 84th through the 91st Minnesota Legislatures.

Personal life
Poppe resides in Austin, Minnesota. She was married to Bob Vilt; he passed away on July 13, 2017. They had three children: Lydia, Casey, and Skyler.