Pierre: Fred Kost, 85, of Pierre formerly of Eagle Butte died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, at Golden Living in Pierre. Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 22 from 5 to 6 p.m. MDT at the United Church of Christ in Eagle Butte, with a prayer service at 6 p.m. MST. Services will be Monday, Sept. 23, at 11 a.m. MDT at the United Church of Christ in Eagle Butte, with burial at the Eagle Butte Cemetery.
Arrangements have been placed in care of Isburg Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at isburgfuneralchapels.com
Fred Kost was born Feb. 20, 1928, on the homeplace, 3 miles south of Eagle Butte, to Russian immigrants Steve and Helen (Burshtin) Kost, where he resided his entire life. Fred attended the Busy Bee School and graduated with the Class of 1947 from Eagle Butte High School. At an early age, the Kost boys worked in various capacities in the area, including herding sheep for Woody Hayes.
Fred and his brother Anton continued the farm/ranch heritage in the Kost Brothers' Partnership using the Kost Brothers' brand. In the mid-1950s, upon starting their own families, the brothers divided their ranching operation with Fred and Marie remaining on the homeplace while Anton and Betty built an operation near the Strong family headquarters. Fred and Anton maintained a close brotherly bond, talking daily until the tragic loss of Anton.
In Pierre on April 5, 1952, Fred married Clare Marie Jensen. The two were married for nearly 58 years. Fred suffered his greatest loss on his birthday, Feb. 20, 2010, with the death of his beloved wife, Marie.
Fred was a man of great tenacity, worked hard every day and stood firmly behind his family, friends, and his beliefs. Fred enjoyed raising and feeding high quality cattle and farming. He had a clear conscience when he went to bed. If one thing were to be said about Fred, it would be, "If it didn't work, he would make it work."
Fred continued residing and working the ranch until July 28, 2013, when he was hospitalized with pneumonia and complications from congestive heart failure and cancer. He succumbed to his battle only after saying goodbye to his family, who were surrounding him in his last moments at Golden Living Center in Pierre.
Survivors include four children: Vernon "Butch" (Renee') Kost of Amarillo, Texas, Steven F. Kost of Pierre, Kenneth Kost of Eagle Butte, Judy (Martin) Albl of Aberdeen; 15 grandchildren: Kevin Kost, Travis (Kirby) Kost, Rhonda (Charlie) Johnson, Donnett Wilson, Shawndell (Lonnie) Perez, James (Misty) Graham, Jessica Kost, Tanner (Brittany) Kost, Katie (Drew) Kalenze, Kendra Kost, KC Kost, Amanda Lautenschlager, Megan Nichols, Madalyn (Michael) Woods, Daniel Albl; great-grandchildren: Dani, Shasteena, Shasten, Bradley, Brandie, Krista, Beret, Hanna, Cody, Renee', Gracie, Treyton, Laela, Porter, Kianna, Braydon, Ethan, Mikaelee, Delancey, Benjamin, Ethan, Alexander, Trey, Gabriel; and numerous great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Ann Kost; one sister-in-law, Betty Lou Kost; several nieces and nephews.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marie; granddaughter, Danette; siblings: Stephan, infant sister, John and Anton; son-in-law, Darryl Lemke.