of Mountain View, AR
October 26, 1926 - February 9, 2015
Glenn Leroy Ohrlin was born October 26, 1926 in Minneapolis, MN the only child of Bert and Alma Eraker Ohrlin. He was baptized and confirmed at the Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. He spent his childhood summers at his grandparent's farm in northern Minnesota, where he developed his love of horses and of cowboy music. When he was 14, the family moved to California. Two years later he left home to become a working cowboy. His first entry into Professional riding was bronc riding at the Roy Rogers Rodeo, held at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1944. He served in the US Army during WWII, and was on a boat to Japan when the War ended. He served in the Army of the Occupation and was honorably discharged in 1946. After his return to the US, he worked on ranches in the West. He continued rodeoing until he saved up enough money to buy his ranch in Mountain View in the early 1950s, where he hand-built his home from local stone.
After several serious injuries in the rodeo, Glenn set out on a career of singing cowboy songs and doing cowboy poetry. He performed at numerous folk festivals over the years, including Newport, Elko, Sun Valley, Winnipeg and many others across North America. He was also a frequent entertainer at the Mountain View Folk Center.
After years of cowboy work and collecting songs, stories, and poetry, Glenn's book, The Hell Bound Train, was published in 1973. He also produced an album of the same name in 1965. Other records and CDs would follow. In 1985, he was named National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment of the Arts. One of the high points in Glenn's career was performing (twice) on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion.
Glenn is survived by his Aunt, Irene Solie and Uncle, Raymond Eraker, and numerous cousins. He is also survived by an enormous cadre of cowboy poets, singers, song writers and performers from across the United States.
Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, his uncles and aunts Helmer (Gertie) Eraker, Arnold (LaVerne) Eraker, Clarence (Andrea) Eraker, Ervin (Ruth) Eraker, Leonard (Hilde) Eraker, Arthur Eraker, Henry Solie, Betty Eraker, and Anna (Carl) Molinder, cousins Thomas Solie, Diane Vitko, and Michael Eraker.
A memorial service will be held at the Folklore Society Center on Monday, February 16th at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Mountain View Folklore Society, the Mountain View Folk Center, or a worthy Organization of your choice. We should all hope to be like Glenn, a man who truly followed his dreams.
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13 Condolence(s)
Alan Tom
Monday, December 26, 2022
About 1990 my wife and I heard Glenn Ohrlin sing in Tucson, Arizona. It was a pleasant evening, and I later purchased a CD of his songs. I listen to that CD from time-to-time and enjoy his songs. A wonderful memory.
Jerry Dean
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Was my distinct pleasure to interview Glenn and spend a day at his Mountain View ranch in the 1980s, when I wrote news features for the late, great Arkansas Gazette. Thoroughly enjoyed my Ozarks visit with him! I consider my native Arkansas fortunate to have drawn such a talented individual as a resident. My guitar-playing son, an architect who still lives in the Ozarks at Winslow, would agree with his Dad. We love living now in the Great Smokies, but still miss such good, gentle folk as Glenn who lived in Arkansas and Stone County, in particular.
Tom Middleton
Friday, February 10, 2017
So long old pard
Thanks for your words and stories
That you brought with you across the West
Entertaining us all at the gatherings held for just that
Guitar, hat, and vest, sitting up there, one of the best
"Why I ain't never heard a no cowboy from Arkansas!"
"Just hillbillies there and southern drawl"
Then Glenn Ohrlin came to town
Betty Mills
Thursday, February 26, 2015
As a fan of Glenn's songs, stories and poetry, I will sorely miss him at the folk center. He was a real treasure that was not always appreciated for what he meant to the world. So glad that so much of his art has been recorded so others in the future can actually hear true cowboy songs.
Stan Ackerman
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Great Cowboy, Singer, Song Writer, and poet, ICon of Mountain View for over fifty years. RIP Glenn, ride high in the sky!
Pete Reiniger
Monday, February 16, 2015
RIP Glenn
Glen & Yvonne Hollenbeck
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Enjoyed Glen's entertainment and friendship for the past 15 years at Elko and other places. He is certainly going to be missed.
Lou & Judy Hlavenka
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Bon voyage Glenn.
Bobby and Carlene Webb
Sunday, February 15, 2015
So so very sorry to hear of Glen's passing. A true cowboy in every sense of the word. We will miss him at Festival time for sure. God bless and comfort all his family.
Ted Lyster
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Glenn was a truly unique and much loved member of the Cowboy Poetry community.
I had the pleasure of knowing and working with him since about 1996. His presence will be missed!!!
Bonnie Kniffin
Saturday, February 14, 2015
What a blessing to have known
Glenn. He was a true friend.He will be missed.
Bonnie Kniffin
Saturday, February 14, 2015
What a blessing to have known
Glenn. He was a true friend.He will be missed.
Dorothy Miller
Friday, February 13, 2015
Wonderful friend always looked for him at the square and enjoyed talking to him visited with him at his home had a lot of laughs. Enjoyed watching him preform at the folk center and watching him dance at the barn. Bill and I will greatly miss seeing and talking to him we know he is in a better place and telling more stories.