Gail Ann Huntley

Gail Huntley, 84, was born in Minneapolis on July 6, 1941, to Verna and Albert Wettels, and died March 4, 2025. Gail will be missed by her dearly loved children Sean and Jessica and husband Tom Huntley.
Gail and Tom moved to Duluth in 1973 when he became a professor at the University of Minnesota, Duluth Medical School. She was a natural Duluthian and a fierce defender of Greater Minnesota, a term she coined one night in their living room discussing politics with friends.
Gail urged Tom to run for the Duluth City Council the first time he ran and worked hard on all his campaigns for the Council and the Minnesota Legislature.
Gail was an activist and a feminist. She worked on more campaigns than she could remember and served in many positions with the Minnesota DFL including Chair of the Duluth DFL, State DFL Secretary (1984-1990) and State DFL Associate Chair (1990-2000). She was a delegate to two Democratic National Conventions, a member of the Democratic National Committee and the Association of State Democratic Chairs.
Gail was a recipient of the Minnesota DFL's Hubert H. Humphrey Award and a member of the Minnesota DFL's Women's Hall of Fame of which she was a founder.
Gail was a Counselor at the Duluth Women's Health Center. She later became a lobbyist for the Minnesota DFL and then Minnesota Planned Parenthood.
Gail was president of the Duluth Chapter of the National Organization for Women. She served on the Northeast Minnesota Planned Parenthood Regional Advisory Committee and subsequently the State Board of Minnesota Planned Parenthood. She also served on the Minnesota ACLU Board and the board of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race and lobbied on behalf of the race.
Gail was also a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth.
Gail spent many summers at the cabin on Bay Lake near Brainerd. When Tom retired from the Minnesota Legislature, they sold their home in Duluth and moved to the cabin where she enjoyed rides on the pontoon boat, reading mysteries and solving puzzles. To Gail's delight, Sean and Jessica visited often.
Gail was preceded in death by her parents, her brother-in-law Brian Olin and life long friend Jean Herzberg. She is survived by husband Tom, children Sean and Jessica, godson Christopher Herzberg, sister Marilee Olin, nephew Todd (Emily) and niece Brianne.
A celebration of Gail's life will be held on Sunday October 12 from 1:00-4:00 pm in the 2nd floor Community Room at City Bella on Lyndale. 6600 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield, MN 55423. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Planned Parenthood North Central States.