16 Facts About Karl Ohs

Karl Ohs was an American politician who served as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of the state of Montana serving under Judy Martz.

Karl Ohs was born in Malta, Montana, the son of a Swedish immigrant.

Karl Ohs was a Montana rancher and farmer prior entering politics.

Karl Ohs attended Montana State College 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.

Karl Ohs was only a few credits short of graduation when he left Montana State.

Karl Ohs stayed on to work the family ranch with his father and his brother, Jerry, and raised his four children, Brad, Eric, Brian and Elizabeth.

In 1989 and 1990, Karl Ohs traveled throughout Montana, educating and encouraging farmers to consider canola as a contract crop, much as they did for barley.

Karl Ohs served in the Montana House of Representatives in 1995,1997, and 1999.

Karl 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, Karl Ohs served as principal negotiator making 19 separate trips into the Freeman compound.

Karl Ohs's involvement earned him the 1998 The Louis E Peters Memorial Service Award given by the FBI for public service.

Karl Ohs's efforts served as a model for FBI handling of similar situations and Ohs traveled to Washington, DC to help the FBI develop negotiator training programs based on his experiences.

In 2002, Karl Ohs was elected chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

Karl Ohs chose not to seek the party post in 2007 due to his efforts to recover from surgery and chemotherapy for brain cancer.

Karl Ohs died of brain cancer on Sunday, November 25,2007 at his home in Helena, Montana, aged 61.