John Ostlund

How’s my girl? Women all over Billings, Yellowstone county, and the state of MT will miss hearing those words while being enveloped in a big hug by a guy in wranglers and a cowboy hat. But we all knew that Kristie was his girl, the love of his life, with his family running a close second. I was his lefty friend as he called me, but as a tribute to his character, it didn’t stop him from helping me understand the county as I had only been involved in state policy prior to being appointed to the commission. How’s my girl? Well , John. Your girls are really sad today. Please rest easy knowing that Kristie, your best girl, is enveloped in hugs and wrapped in love.

I just heard the sad news. I met John when he first attended a National Association of Counties meeting many years ago. Every year I looked forward to having coffee with John at these meetings and he always invited me to go out with the rest of the crew of Commissioners from Montana. John taught this city boy from Chicago about life in more rural counties. He invited me out to Montana with my kids on one of our family vacations. I am in Philadelphia today at these meetings NACo conference when Joe Briggs broke the news. I know I speak for the over 3,000 county commissioners from across the Country in offering our condolences to John’s family. I will miss that big smile with at big Stetson and buckle. I will miss you John. Your friend and fellow Commissioner Jim Healy - DuPage County Illinois.

It has been one half CENTURY since I met John where we were both hauling grain and he was the most PRINCE-OF-A-MAN to work with! If I remeember correctly, at the time he worked on roads for the county and was hauling grain part time to pay off unexpected debt; and at that time and always, my respect for John was TOP SHELF! It wasn't until about 5 years later I saw John in a movie theater where we had the most pleasant visit and he introduced me to a special engine oil additive (which, to this day, always reminds me of John) Over the decades, I have tried to locate John to no avail and my only regret is that when I found him - it was in this obituary. YES, this planet has lost most pleasant man of integrity. Shalom aleichem b'shem Yeshua (Peace be upon you in the name of Jesus :o)

I met John as a farm kid, because of his staunch support of farmers and ranchers. I later knew him as an outstanding pool player in the local leagues. After he was elected commissioner, John became my boss. We did not always agree politically, but John's comittment to Yellowstone County was incredible. One could always find common ground with him by focusing on the greater good. He was a huge advocate for the kids at Youth Services Center, and he always made a point to spend time with them. I am shocked and saddened by his death and my heart goes out to Kristie and the family. RIP old friend. Valarie Weber, retired Yellowstone County employee

As a not so veteran Commissioner, I appreciated John’s leadership, knowledge, and concern for his people, not only in Yellowstone Co., but also the far reaches of Montana. He will be missed, greatly. My condolences to his family. God Bless them and give them peace. I really liked his cowboy hat! Mikel P. Lund, retired Daniels Co.