Karl Ohs
Encyclopedia
Karl Ohs was the Lieutenant Governor
of the state of Montana
under Judy Martz
.
and was a Montana rancher and farmer before entering politics. He attended Montana State College (Later Montana State University) where he wrestled for the Fighting Bobcats and was a two time Big Sky Conference Champion. In 1969, Ohs left his studies in agricultural economics at Montana State University
to help the family move to a new ranch in Pony, Montana
in a Tobacco Root Mountain valley outside Harrison in Madison County
. Ohs was only a few credits short of graduation when he left Montana State.
He stayed on to work the family ranch with his father and his brother, Jerry, and raised his four children, Brad, Eric, Brian and Elizabeth. While serving as Lieutenant Governor, Karl returned to MSU and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business in 2004. Accepting his diploma and giving the commencement speech, Ohs said, "I promised myself I would be back, but I never thought it would be 40 years."
's Farm Aid
conference in St. Louis in September 1986. Carrying the vital spirit sparked by meeting with farmers and ranchers from all over the United States, Ohs returned home and began searching for ways and means of increasing economic options for Montana agriculture. In 1988, Ohs and nine other Montana ranchers and farmers formed MAGPI, Montana Agricultural Producers, Inc. Ohs served as Chairman of MAGPI, leading the company's exploration of alternative products and alternative markets.
For MAGPI, alternative crops had to be accompanied by alternative markets. "No sense in growing it if you can't sell it and make a profit," Ohs often said. In 1989 and 1990, Ohs traveled throughout Montana, educating and encouraging farmers to consider canola as a contract crop, much as they did for barley. MAGPI also promoted production of weed seed-free hay, participating in programs to require only weed seed-free hay on US Forest Service and State owned lands: "It's win-win all way around: we need to get after our noxious weeds here in Montana and we need to find crops farmers can grow that have a market."
Ohs served in the Montana House of Representatives
in 1995, 1997, and 1999. During the 1997 and 1999 sessions, he served as Majority Whip. During his time in the Montana State Legislature, Ohs sponsored the legislation that resulted in the purchase, by the state, of the Bovey properties in Viginia City and Nevada City, keeping the history and artifacts of Virginia and Nevada Cities accessible to future generations. Prior to his involvement in state politics, Ohs served 7 years on the Harrison, Montana
school board (1978–1984). Running successfully for Lieutenant Governor in 2000 with gubernatorial candidate Judy Martz
, Ohs was an active member of the administration, taking a leadership role is resolving complex or controversial issues facing the state including serving as chairman of the Governor's Drought Advisory Committee during drought
years and chairing the K-12 Public School Renewal Commission working across party lines to solve the Montana public schools' funding problems.
Ohs was best-known for his role in peacefully ending the Montana Freeman standoff near Jordan, Montana
. In 1996, asked for help by a former ranch hand whose daughter and granddaughter were inside, Ohs served as principal negotiator making 19 separate trips into the Freeman compound. His involvement earned him the 1998 The Louis E. Peters Memorial Service Award given by the FBI for public service. His efforts also served as a model for FBI handling of similar situations and Ohs traveled to Washington, D.C.
to help the FBI develop negotiator training programs based on his experiences.
. Following his four-year tenure as Lieutenant Governor, Ohs was elected chairman of the Montana Republican Party
in 2005. Ohs chose not to seek the party post in 2007 due to his efforts to recover from surgery and chemotherapy for brain cancer. Ohs died of brain cancer on Sunday, November 25, 2007 at his home in Helena, Montana
, aged 61. The Montana Law Enforcement Academy has dedicated a building to the late former Montana Lt. Gov. Karl Ohs.
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of the state of Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
under Judy Martz
Judy Martz
Judy Martz was the 22nd Governor of Montana, having served a single term from January 2, 2001, to January 3, 2005. Earlier, she was the Lieutenant Governor under Marc Racicot from 1997-2001...
.
Background
Karl Ohs was born in Malta, MontanaMalta, Montana
Malta is a city in and the county seat of Phillips County, Montana, United States, located at the intersection of U.S. Routes 2 and 191. The population was 2,120 at the 2000 census.-History:...
and was a Montana rancher and farmer before entering politics. He attended Montana State College (Later Montana State University) where he wrestled for the Fighting Bobcats and was a two time Big Sky Conference Champion. In 1969, Ohs left his studies in agricultural economics at Montana State University
Montana State University - Bozeman
Montana State University – Bozeman is a public university located in Bozeman, Montana. It is the state's land-grant university and primary campus in the Montana State University System, which is part of the Montana University System...
to help the family move to a new ranch in Pony, Montana
Pony, Montana
Pony is an unincorporated community in northeastern Madison County, Montana, United States on the eastern edge of the Tobacco Root Mountains.In the late nineteenth century, Pony was a prosperous gold-mining community with at least 5,000 residents. A number of historic buildings from Pony's boom era...
in a Tobacco Root Mountain valley outside Harrison in Madison County
Madison County, Montana
-National protected areas:*Beaverhead National Forest *Deerlodge National Forest *Gallatin National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,851 people, 2,956 households, and 1,921 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile...
. Ohs was only a few credits short of graduation when he left Montana State.
He stayed on to work the family ranch with his father and his brother, Jerry, and raised his four children, Brad, Eric, Brian and Elizabeth. While serving as Lieutenant Governor, Karl returned to MSU and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business in 2004. Accepting his diploma and giving the commencement speech, Ohs said, "I promised myself I would be back, but I never thought it would be 40 years."
Political career
Ohs political involvement was sparked when he attended Willie NelsonWillie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
's Farm Aid
Farm Aid
Farm Aid started as a benefit concert on September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois, held to raise money for family farmers in the United States...
conference in St. Louis in September 1986. Carrying the vital spirit sparked by meeting with farmers and ranchers from all over the United States, Ohs returned home and began searching for ways and means of increasing economic options for Montana agriculture. In 1988, Ohs and nine other Montana ranchers and farmers formed MAGPI, Montana Agricultural Producers, Inc. Ohs served as Chairman of MAGPI, leading the company's exploration of alternative products and alternative markets.
For MAGPI, alternative crops had to be accompanied by alternative markets. "No sense in growing it if you can't sell it and make a profit," Ohs often said. In 1989 and 1990, Ohs traveled throughout Montana, educating and encouraging farmers to consider canola as a contract crop, much as they did for barley. MAGPI also promoted production of weed seed-free hay, participating in programs to require only weed seed-free hay on US Forest Service and State owned lands: "It's win-win all way around: we need to get after our noxious weeds here in Montana and we need to find crops farmers can grow that have a market."
Ohs served in the Montana House of Representatives
Montana House of Representatives
The Montana House of Representatives is, with the Montana Senate, one of the two houses of the Montana Legislature. Composed of 100 members, the House elects its leadership every two years.-Composition of the House:...
in 1995, 1997, and 1999. During the 1997 and 1999 sessions, he served as Majority Whip. During his time in the Montana State Legislature, Ohs sponsored the legislation that resulted in the purchase, by the state, of the Bovey properties in Viginia City and Nevada City, keeping the history and artifacts of Virginia and Nevada Cities accessible to future generations. Prior to his involvement in state politics, Ohs served 7 years on the Harrison, Montana
Harrison, Montana
Harrison is a census-designated place in Madison County, Montana, United States. The population was 162 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Harrison is located at ....
school board (1978–1984). Running successfully for Lieutenant Governor in 2000 with gubernatorial candidate Judy Martz
Judy Martz
Judy Martz was the 22nd Governor of Montana, having served a single term from January 2, 2001, to January 3, 2005. Earlier, she was the Lieutenant Governor under Marc Racicot from 1997-2001...
, Ohs was an active member of the administration, taking a leadership role is resolving complex or controversial issues facing the state including serving as chairman of the Governor's Drought Advisory Committee during drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
years and chairing the K-12 Public School Renewal Commission working across party lines to solve the Montana public schools' funding problems.
Ohs was best-known for his role in peacefully ending the Montana Freeman standoff near Jordan, Montana
Jordan, Montana
Jordan is a town in and the county seat of Garfield County, Montana, United States. The population was 364 at the 2000 census.-History:Originally settled in 1896, Jordan received a post office on July 11, 1899...
. In 1996, asked for help by a former ranch hand whose daughter and granddaughter were inside, Ohs served as principal negotiator making 19 separate trips into the Freeman compound. His involvement earned him the 1998 The Louis E. Peters Memorial Service Award given by the FBI for public service. His efforts also served as a model for FBI handling of similar situations and Ohs traveled to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
to help the FBI develop negotiator training programs based on his experiences.
Later years
In 2002, Ohs was elected chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors AssociationNational Lieutenant Governors Association
The National Lieutenant Governors Association is the non-profit, nonpartisan professional association for elected or appointed officials who are first in line of succession to the governors in the 50 U.S. states and the five organized territories...
. Following his four-year tenure as Lieutenant Governor, Ohs was elected chairman of the Montana Republican Party
Montana Republican Party
The Montana Republican Party is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Montana. The party is led by Chairman William Deschamps and Vice Chair Christy Clark . The National Committeeman is Errol Galt and the National Committeewoman is Betti Hill...
in 2005. Ohs chose not to seek the party post in 2007 due to his efforts to recover from surgery and chemotherapy for brain cancer. Ohs died of brain cancer on Sunday, November 25, 2007 at his home in Helena, Montana
Helena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
, aged 61. The Montana Law Enforcement Academy has dedicated a building to the late former Montana Lt. Gov. Karl Ohs.