Surnames: Brost, Bruhn, Buffington, Bunkleman, Danen, Devine, Doberstein, Dohm, Emmerich, Felzkowski, Gawin, Graffunder, Laggeman, Lippert, Motte, Olson, Schabel, Shaw, Sherman, Stauner, Stefancin, Stephan, Widner, Willger, Zink

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, September 15, 2011, online edition

---- Brost, Francis "Frank" H. (February 26, 1928 - September 8, 2011)

Francis "Frank" H. Brost, 83, Town of Medford, died on Thursday, Sept. 8 at Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, where he had been a patient for three weeks, with family at his side.

Frank fought a courageous battle the last six weeks while he was a patient at Medford and Marshfield hospitals with his illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford, with Father Gerard Willger and Deacon Joe Stefancin officiating. Burial was at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Medford, with graveside military rites performed by the Medford Military Honors Team. Pallbearers were his grandsons, Christopher Motte, Nathan, Zachary and Tyler Brost, Justin and Mathew Olson and Eric Bunkleman.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford assisted the family with arrangements.

Francis Brost was born on February 26, 1928 to the late Anton J. and Mary (Stauner) Brost Jr. in the Town of Medford. He was the fifth of nine children. He attended Holy Rosary Catholic School.

In 1958 Frank met Ruth Devine of Marshfield, the love of his life. They married on October 31, 1959 at St. John's Catholic Church in Marshfield. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 31, 2009 with a special mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, followed by a dinner and music with family friends gathering to share their day. They were blessed with 10 children, Mary Jo, Richard, Gerald, Russell, Lisa, Charles, John, Terry, Karen and Ronald.

Frank lived his entire life at the family farm, which he helped operate until he was 82 years old and ill health required him to retire. Often, friends would ask Frank when he was going to retire and he replied, "I do every night when I go to bed." After high school, his youngest son, Ronnie, chose to take over the family farm. He passed on his passion for farming to his sons, Dick, John and Terry, as well. They all work together. Karen farmed with Ron and Frank until she married.

The grandchildren are also involved with the farm by doing chores.

He entered the United States Army in February 1953. He was stationed at Fort Schilling, Ill., Camp Carson, Colo., and Fort Knox, Ky. Frank was discharged in February 1955 as a sergeant. In 2005, these Army buddies and their wives got together in Medford for their 50th reunion. Individuals were LeRoy Brost, Kenny Emmerich, Bernie Schabel, Wayne Widner, Russ Doberstein, Norman Danen and Kenny Laggeman.

Frank also was a log truck, milk truck and fuel truck driver. He also delivered mail for a short period of time. In his younger years, he liked to polka and always enjoyed listening to polka music. Frank enjoyed gardening, orchard tending and picking berries. He was an avid reader, especially the farm papers and magazines. Most of all Frank enjoyed family get togethers with his children and grandchildren. Frank had a special place in his heart for his daughter-in-laws, Deb, Jean and Casey. He also spent a lot of time with his son-in-law, Jon. Frank also enjoyed going for rides and viewing the scenery, especially farm scenery.

He was a life member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where he also served on the Holy Rosary cemetery board. Frank served as supervisor for the Town of Medford, board member for the Medford Co-op, was an AMPI delegate and the ASCS. Frank was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus and named honorary member of the FFA.

Survivors include his wife of almost 52 years, Ruth Brost of Medford; children, Lisa (friend Joe Zink) Brost of Medford, John (Jean) Brost of Medford, Terry (Casey) Brost of Unity, Karen (Jon) Felzkowski of Athens and Ronnie Brost of Medford; extended family, Terry Graffunder, David "Chicken" Olson, and Debbie and Autumn Sherman; brothers and sisters, Mary Ann Gawin of Menomonee Falls, and Betty Dohm, Dolores Shaw, Norbert (Rosalie) Brost and Leon (Yvonne) Brost, all of Medford; in-laws, Beulah Brost, Yvonne Devine, Pat Lippert, Mary (Paul) Buffington, Jean (Jim) Bruhn and Bob (Sue) Devine; grandchildren, Tony, Travis, Eric (Krissy), Ashley, Cody, Justin, Mat, Chris, Tyler, Zachery, Kari, Austin, Levi, Luke, Layne, Nathan, Katelyn and Trevor; great-grandchild, Jordan and a great-granddaughter due in October; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five children, Mary Jo Graffunder in 1996, Richard "Dick" in 1998, Russell in 1979, and infant sons, Gerald in 1962 and Charles in 1964; and brothers and sisters, Edward Brost, and Agnes (Don) Stephan and Rosemary Brost in infancy; brothers-in-law, John Gawin, James Shaw, Robert Dohm, Robert Lippert, Bill (Kate) and Ray Devine; and his in-laws, George and Barbara Devine.
Memorials will be designated at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.