The man known as, 'Minnesota's leading citizen' has died. Former Republican Gov. Elmer L. Andersen died Monday evening at the age of 95. Although Andersen served as the state's governor from 1961 to 1963, he's probably better known more for what he accomplished outside of that office. And for Andersen, that's a long list: President and CEO of a billion dollar company, newspaper publisher, environmental leader, civil rights leader and philanthropist.