Hundreds of friends and family members gathered on Feb. 2, at the Wayzata Country Club for a surprise tribute to former Gov. Wendell R. Anderson in honor of his 80th birthday. The previous day, his actual birthday, was officially proclaimed “Wendell Anderson Day” in Minnesota by Gov. Mark Dayton. The celebration was described as “an unabashed reunion of 1970s politicos” by Sam Stern, who served as Anderson’s legislative counsel during his two years as U.S. Senator, 1977-1978. All photos courtesy of Stern.

Attendees included Dayton Chief of Staff Tina Smith, center, and former Vice President Walter Mondale, far right

Former Hennepin County Attorney Tom Johnson and Accenture’s Peter Hutchinson

Former State Sen. Roger Moe

Former Vice President Walter Mondale and first female Minnesota House Speaker Dee Long

Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman and Attorney General Lori Swanson

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, attorney Bob Hennessey and former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer

Attorney and lobbyist Jim Erickson and Gov. Mark Dayton displaying the iconic Time magazine cover featuring Anderson and “The Good Life in Minnesota”

Former Gov. Wendell Anderson, Rep. Lyndon Carlson Sr. and former Vice President Walter Mondale

Former Gov. Wendell Anderson accepting a state proclamation from Gov. Mark Dayton