Kenneth John "Ken" Ohls

Kenneth "Ken" John Ohls was born on July 20th, 1935, in La Verne, Ca to the parents of Iva and Lester Ohls. Lester passed in 1943 and Iva later remarried Ken's stepdad, Lex Berg. He grew up mostly in Chino, California. His siblings were: Doris (b. 1923), Dick (b.1927), and Eloria (b. 1938). As a kid, Ken loved everything outdoors and often went fishing and hunting with his stepdad Lex. He also had a paper route growing up. When it came time to collect fees from customers, due to his shy demeanor, he often needed some extra encouragement from his stepdad. Ken attended Chino High School where he played full back for the Cowboys. During this time, football helmets were made of leather and didn't have face masks. He loved to tell stories about the numerous broken noses he sustained. A hardnosed player (pun intended), the coach appreciated his skill in lead blocking over running, because as Ken would often admit- he wasn't very fast. He prided himself on doing the dirty work. It was also during this time he developed a love for malts as he would enjoy one after every game. Outside of enjoying the outdoors and playing football, much of his teenage years growing up were spent working at a dairy farm. At the time, Chino was a big farming community. Classmate signatures in his senior yearbook often revealed students hardly saw him at school. Thinking he was ditching school and up to no good, family members later in life asked about his truancies. To which he replied that he had to work and help support his family. Ken's strong work ethic and dedication to family never wavered. Ken graduated from Chino High School in 1953. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps that same year as a Heavy Equipment Operator. A Korean War Veteran, Ken served his nation honorably and was discharged in 1957. In 1955, while home on leave, he met the love of his life, Virginia L. Bacon, at a drive-in diner in Pomona, Ca. Virginia was ordered by her parents to never attend this diner-as bikers often frequented the area. A rebel indeed, she went anyway and instead of meeting a biker-she met a Marine. They were married on May 18th, 1956, in Ontario, CA. Ken and Virginia had four kids: Karen (b. 1957), Kim (b. 1958), Keith (b. 1963), and Kelly (b. 1967). After the Marines, Ken worked for the California State Division of Highways. In 1958 they moved to Tehachapi, CA. Ken loved snow and didn't see much growing up. During the first winter in Tehachapi, the family experienced heavy snowfall, and he ran around the house and peered out every window in amazement. Due to his immense love of the outdoors and trees, Ken went to school at Humboldt State College in 1959 and graduated with a degree in Forestry. After graduation, he began a career with the US Forest Service starting in 1964. Working for the US Forest Service, the family relocated to numerous towns around California. In 1977 he was stationed with the Forest Service in Noxon, MT. There he purchased his pride and joy, a 1979 Jeep CJ5, that is still in the family to this day and driven by his grandson Tony. In 1981, the family finally settled in Idaho where Ken and Virginia spent most of their adult years. He retired from the US Forest Service in 1988. They resided primarily in the Idaho City area. In 1996, Ken and Virginia adopted and raised their three grandchildren (Monreal, Taren and Dylan). To support the family, Ken went back to work driving a snowplow for the State of Idaho. Later, he took a position as an Environmental Planner for the Idaho Transportation Department. He retired for the last time in 2014. His later years in life Ken spent time traveling, camping, visiting family, indulging often on one of his favorite snacks- Oreo cookies with milk, and staying current on politics. He was also very proud to be a member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 878 for the Treasure Valley. On October 10th, 2025, surrounded by loved ones and his wife of 69 years, Ken passed away peacefully in Homedale, ID. He is survived by his wife Virginia "Ginny," and his children Karen (Wes) Eads, Kimberly Ohls, Keith (Irene) Ohls, and Kelly (Kyle) Vaughan. He also was survived by his grandchildren Chris (Renee) Eads, Anthony "Tony" Eads; Deven Ohls, Monreal Hicks, Taren (Heidi) Hicks, Dylan Ohls; Brandie (Ross) Campbell, Keith (Ashley) Cegnar, Brian Cegnar, Sarah Cegnar, Joey Ohls; and Cody Vaughan. He also had 24 great-grandchildren. In lieu of donations or flowers, please donate in his name to Tunnels to Towers or the Samaritan's Purse or plant a tree in his name. He will have a Celebration of Life in May of 2026. The actual date will be determined at a later time.