Karl H. Ohlendorf, age 87, a retired educator and teacher union administrator, of Helena, MT, passed away Friday, September 13, 2013 at St. Peter’s Hospital.
Karl was born December 22, 1925 in Geraberg, Germany to Albert and Emmy Ohlendorf. He served in the German Air Force Medical Corps (Luftwaffe) in World War II. After the war, he married Willimpje De Konning and they came to the United States in 1950. He earned a B.A in American Studies at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL.
Karl taught elementary and junior high school for several years in Lake Forest and was the Director of the Peacock Camp for Handicapped Children, which he said was the most important job he ever had. Later, he did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, followed by still more graduate work in educational administration at the University of Chicago He became an Associate Director for the Michigan Education Association in 1967 and was part of the “the Michigan Mafia”, a team that in the early seventies, developed and implemented the collective bargaining law which is now the standard for American teachers. He moved to Oregon in 1973 as Executive Secretary of the Oregon Education Association and in 19676, worked in San Francisco when its teachers began to implement collective bargaining. In the late seventies he pursued other business interests in the Bay Area.
Karl married Elaine Forrest in June of 1981 in Carson City Nevada. He loved photography, reading, and classical music.
Karl is preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Dorothea Ohlendorf. He is survived by his wife Elaine Forrest; sons, Ronald Peter Ohlendorf of Portland, OR, Randall Halvor (Marilee) Ohlendorf of Seattle, WA; daughter, Karla Frahler of Portland, OR; step-son, Vincent Paul (Karen) Briggs of Wellesley, MA; and grandchildren, Kate Frahler of Portland, OR, Kurt Ohlendorf and Kirsten Ohlendorf of Seattle, WA; and step grandchildren, Spencer and Garrett Briggs of Wellesley, MA. He is also survived by his siblings, Manfred Ohlendorf, Helga Vogel, and Renata Ohlendorf all of Germany.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Retz Funeral Home. Private services will be held in Lloyd, MT. Memorials in Karl’s name are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Karl, please visit below.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Share
Jim OConnor says
Karl was a great man. I very much enjoyed knowing him and enjoyed his friendship.
JoAnne and Rick Sherwood says
Elaine: Rick and I were so sorry to learn of Karl’s passing. We always enjoyed visiting with Karl and appreciated his honesty and wit. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.