MINNEAPOLIS — Former U.S. Rep. Martin Olav Sabo, a longtime Minnesota congressman whose quiet Scandinavian demeanor conveyed a sense of civility during increasingly partisan times in Washington, has died at age 78.

Sabo died Sunday morning at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, according to his daughter, Karin Mantor. She said her father, a longtime smoker who was on oxygen, had been hospitalized for a week because he was having trouble breathing. Doctors discovered Sabo had a mild case of pneumonia, Mantor said, but the cause of death was not immediately known.

Sabo served 28 years in the U.S. House, easily winning each re-election after his first win in 1978 and eventually rising to House Budget Committee chairman. The Minneapolis Democrat announced his retirement in 2006 and was succeeded by fellow Democrat Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to the House.

Politicians praised Sabo, a Norwegian Lutheran, for his understated manner and ability to deliver millions of dollars to the Twin Cities for road and housing projects, including the Hiawatha Avenue light-rail line and the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center. The Martin Olav Sabo Bridge, a 215-foot-long suspension bridge for bicyclists and pedestrians in Minneapolis, is named in his honor.

Gov. Mark Dayton said Minnesota has important infrastructure projects because of Sabo’s senior position on the House Appropriations Committee. The Democratic governor called Sabo “a great political leader and outstanding public servant.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Sabo “was the embodiment of good sense, legislative leadership, and lifelong service to our country.” She cited his work as budget committee chairman in helping forge the 1993 deficit reduction agreement.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., recalled Sabo agreeing to do joint lawn signs with her when she first ran for Hennepin County attorney.

“He was a veteran congressman and I was a political rookie, but he didn’t hesitate to help. He saw it as part of his job to help young people get started in politics,” Klobuchar said in a statement.

Before being elected to Congress, the North Dakota native served 18 years in the Minnesota Legislature, where he was first elected in 1960 at age 22 and rose to House minority leader, and then speaker.