Marie J. Brost, 81, Gladstone, died on Friday, January 17, 2025 at home with family by her side. Marie’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Thomas Wordekemper, OSB as celebrant. Inurnment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m.. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church.
Marie Jane Miller was born on March 6, 1943 in Dickinson to Alex and Mary (Gieser) Miller. She was raised on a farm 25 miles north of Gladstone. She attended rural school, Iota #4 in Gladstone and high school at St. Mary’s in New England. She attended and graduated from Presentation Jr. College in Aberdeen, SD and Dickinson State College with her teaching degrees.
After moving back home to attend Dickinson State College, Marie met the love of her life, Ronald Brost, who delivered gas to their family farm. The two were married on June 25, 1966 at St. Philip’s Church in Hirschville. They made Gladstone their home to raise their children, Joan, Aaron, and Carey.
Marie had a true passion for teaching. Over her 35-year teaching career, she had the opportunity to teach multiple generations of students, as well as her own children and grandchildren. Marie taught country school for one year in 1966. From 1966 to 1970 she taught 4th and 5th grade at Gladstone school. From 1975-1978 Marie taught Basic Skills and 6th grade CCD. For the next 25 years, she taught full-time in Gladstone until the school closed. She then went on to teach 3rd and 5th grade at Lincoln Elementary School in Dickinson until retirement in 2005. Marie was described by fellow teachers as “quietly courageous” and someone who served and cared for her students well. However, there were some naughty ones, whose ears might have been stretched a little, you know who you are. The difference she has made in the lives of her students will live on for years to come.
Marie loved spending time with family, baking (famously known for her honey chocolate chip cookies), canning, reading, and dancing. She had a knack for sewing, quilting countless quilts and blankets for her grandchildren and mending more than a few pairs of ripped jeans.
She loved any activity that involved being outdoors: gardening, picking apples from her apple tree, camping, walking, and fishing the river at the Brost farm.
Marie had a faith that encompassed all the things she loved to do. She belonged to the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Gladstone and later to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. Marie had a servant’s heart. She served as a church secretary, many church circles, KC secretary, member of the KCettes, Gladstone Fire Department Lady’s Auxiliary, 4-H leader, and taught CCD and confirmation classes at St. Philip’s and St. Thomas Church.
Marie is survived by her children, Joan Brost, Rapid City, SD, Aaron (Tania) Brost, Gladstone, and Carey (Ryan) Praus, Killdeer; grandchildren, Andrew Pribyl (Noelle Macuch), Allie Pribyl (Tim Woods), Tanielle (Kyle) Wilson, Ian Brost, Samantha Praus, and Meghan (TJ) Moore; and great-grandchildren, Gavynn, Rhett, Alden, Brantley, Huxton, and Marlow; siblings, Debbie Rath-Mandan, Bobbie (Danny) Aus-Bottineau, and Mark (Nona) Miller, Dickinson, and Rod (Pat) Miller-Arizona; in-laws, Gerald (Judy) Brost, Laverne Kaufman, Allan and Diane Brost; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Brost; her parents, Alex and Mary Miller; brother, Toby Miller; in-laws, Ray and Elizabeth Brost; brothers-in-law, Curt Rath and Rick Kaufman; and sisters-in-law, Gerilyn Brost and Jeannie Miller.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. Thomas Catholic Church, or the Gladstone Fire Department.
