Ex-Speaker Olmstead Dies At 70

Former speaker of the Idaho House Ralph Olmstead has died of complications from Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 70.

Olmstead, who died at home early Sunday, is remembered as a foe of government bureaucracy and big spending, a leader in innovative agriculture and a hard-working public servant.

He was a state representative from 1972 to 1982 and House speaker from 1978 to 1982.

The Twin Falls cattleman was an influential and talented Republican legislator - respected by Democratic and Republican colleagues alike - and a “very strong and influential person in support of education,” former Democratic Gov. John Evans said.

Despite a miserable last few months, Olmstead worked in the Statehouse as a Senate liaison for Lt. Gov. Butch Otter until two days before his death, said Olmstead’s daughter Leanne Borman.

Feeling very weak, Olmstead went home for the weekend on Friday, intending to return to Boise, she said. Olmstead did not want a funeral, so his ashes will be buried on the farm and feedlot southeast of Twin Falls where he was born and lived his whole life.

The family will hold a memorial service in the spring.

In 1982, Olmstead challenged Phil Batt for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, forcing the more moderate Batt to veer right in his campaign, according to Randy Stapilus, author of several books on Idaho politics.

Batt won the nomination, but not the general-election campaign against Evans, the incumbent. Batt became governor in 1995.

Olmstead is survived by his wife; a brother, Neil Olmstead of Twin Falls; a sister, Jean Woodbury of Orangevale, Calif.; three daughters; three sons; and 20 grandchildren.