John E. Murtaugh "Uncle Ed"

If you're wondering whether I'm related to the Murtaugh that owned and ran the "Casino" which used to be on Fountain Lake from 1910 until the late 1950s, I am. John Edward Murtaugh, or Uncle Ed as I knew him, was my grandfather's brother. The Casino Dancing Pavilion, its full name, didn't have gambling, but it was a place where many people recall going to dance and listen to bands of the day, and also had boat and canoe rentals. Wouldn't it be great to have something like that again?

My parents are James and Marge Murtaugh. My dad was a power plant engineer at Wilson's and Farmstead. My mother was a nurse at Naeve Hospital and an instructor at the Naeve School of Nursing. Later she was one of the owners of the Heart of the Artichoke gift and antique store. They live just south of town on Pickerel Lake.

The Casino Dancing Pavilion.

Except for attending the University of Minnesota to obtain a business degree, I have lived my entire life here in Albert Lea and Freeborn County. My wife, Geri, is the assistant editor at the Albert Lea Tribune. We have two daughters - Erin is in seventh grade at Southwest Middle School, and Tierney is in first grade at St. Theodore Catholic School.

Even though I have worked in Owatonna almost nine years, I have never considered moving. This is my home and the home of my family, and I'm proud to be from Albert Lea. Thanks for being an informed citizen!

Work History

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• 1986 - 1989 - employed at Albert Lea Tribune as Advertising Representative and Circulation Manager
• 1989 - 1990 - employed by Four Seasons Advertising as Sales Manager
• 1990 - 1992 - employed by KATE/KCPI Radio as Account Representative
• 1992 - 1999 - employed by Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services as Member Service Advisor
• 1999 - 2009 - employed by Wenger Corporation (Owatonna) as Network Administrator and Lotus Notes Developer/Programmer
• Lifetime resident of Albert Lea, educated at ALHS, University of Minnesota, and Riverland Community College.

• 1985 - Bachelor of Science in Business from School of Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Also awarded Undergraduate Development Certificate in Engineering and Science.
• 1999 - Graduated from Microcomputer Certified Network Technician program, Riverland Community College, Albert Lea