Besemer takes job with Blue Earth County

Resigns as Brown County Court Administrator

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- For the past 28 years, staff and judges at the Brown County Court House, have worked closely with Court Administrator Judy Besemer, enjoying her hands-on system of management.

It's a relationship that will come to a close today when Besemer leaves New Ulm to take a similar position as Blue Earth County Court Administrator on Wednesday.

"I will be too busy to think about leaving on Tuesday," she said Monday. "Today is a very emotional day for me. It is tough to talk about leaving. They are throwing a party for me and everything."

Besemer began her duties with Brown County in 1972. Throughout her career, she has seen many changes in the court system. She resigned in 1975 and worked with the Berens Law Office. She was hired by the Clerk of Court in 1976 as Chief Deputy. She was appointed as Clerk of Court (now, court administrator) in 1981.

Besemer's tenure has involved working with several; different judges.

"When I started here, we had a county court system," she said. "That later became a district court system. Now it is a unified court system. I have worked under four different judges since I have been here, and I have learned something from all of them."

She appreciates the support the judges gave her.

"I have been a real advocate for my staff since I have been here," Besemer said. "I have helped appeal salaries and fought for the comparable worth of the employees."

When she started, court administrators tended to be men. However, it has become more female-dominated in recent years, she said.

"It is an interesting career and has been very exciting," she said. "It is always changing and moving on. The move to Blue Earth County will add a new dimension to my career."

She will still be working in court administration, although she will work with a larger staff and more judges. The responsibilities will also be somewhat different than what she had in Brown County.

"It is difficult to leave the staff here in New Ulm," she said. "It is a small office and it has been easy to be friends. I am not sure what it will be like there."

She enjoys working with files and being in the middle of the office. In Mankato, she will have a private office and will not have as much hands-on work.

She is excited about the challenges of the new job. She took the position in Mankato because Blue Earth County is larger than Brown County, and it allows her to advance in her career without relocating. She and her husband live in rural New Ulm.

"I decided that if I didn't do this now, I never would," she said. "I am looking forward to it. My husband has always encouraged me in my career. He tells me I shouldn't have this much fun at work."