Duluth City Councilor Van Nett Passes Away

DULUTH, MN (KDAL) – The City of Duluth announced on Friday that City Councilor Renee Van Nett has died after a battle with a terminal illness.

Van Nett was elected as 4th District Councilor in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. She served as Council Vice President in 2020 and President in 2021.

In a statement, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said Van Nett was a powerful woman who lived life with clarity and purpose. Larson says the entire community benefited from her leadership as the first indigenous woman to be elected to the council.

Current City Council President, Arik Forseman says he lost a close friend and colleague, calling Van Nett the bravest person he had ever met.

Details about a memorial service will be released in the coming days and a GoFundMe has been set up in her honor with proceeds going to her final expenses and care of her two young daughters.

The City Council will determine a process to appoint someone to fill Van Nett’s 4th District seat.

Go Fund Me site: https://www.gofundme.com/f/9f7fq2-renee-van-nett-family?utm_source=customer&utmmedium=copy_link&utmcampaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&fbclidIwAR3fQsuyQAs3QGipQhg5PVoqd7p4aFUYngKqtwF_Pqg-BNsQPyhYE4t8zhw