Bradley Neal Ost

Bradley Neal Ost of Mankato, Kansas passed away Thursday, October 11, 2018 at the age of 62, with his family by his side at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas.

Brad was born in Red Cloud, Nebraska December 30, 1955.  He was one of four children born to Milford and Anne (Siemon) Ost, Mankato, Kansas.

He loved learning and was an accomplished student and this love of learning continued throughout his life.

Brad played football and basketball in high school and at one point he and two of his brothers, Mike and Larry, were 3 men of the 8 man football team.  At Cloud County Community College in Concordia he found an undiscovered talent in cross country.   The first time he ran a race he was only one second off the school record. He later went on to break the school record.

Brad joined his father and brother in farming 7 miles west of Mankato.  When his Dad died in 2004, Brad and Mike continued the farming and cattle operation.  Brad was a very successful and well respected farmer.  He used his love of acquiring knowledge to research new technology and trends in agriculture.

On August 27, 1977 Brad and Linda (Eilert) were married at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Mankato, Kansas.  Their first home was Brad's grandparent's house which he had lovingly restored.

Brad and Linda were blessed with the birth of a son, Ryan on March 14, 1979 and a daughter, Staci on October 11, 1980.  Brad loved following his kids in sports, attending every game.  Ryan and his wife, Darcy, and Staci and her husband, Chris, blessed him with 5 grandchildren whom he adored.  Farming came second when it meant missing a game or program his children or grandchildren were in.

While farming and cattle consumed most of his time he also enjoyed his yearly fishing trips with his brothers, ski trips in the winter, weekly card games with his buddies and driving his 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee. Sunday Scrabble tournaments became a rowdy weekly challenge, including cardboard pie. However, his most enjoyable times involved his children and grandchildren; including driving lessons and four-wheeler escapades with the grandchildren.

Sadly, Brad was forced by illness to quit farming in 2007 which was an enormous loss for him but greater still was the death of his beloved son, Ryan in 2009.

Brad was preceded in death by his  brother-in-law, Kenny (Rubber) Eilert in 2001, son Ryan in 2009,  dad, Milford in 2005, special friend Dennis Clark in 2015 and loving Uncle Bud (Donald Siemon) in 2014.

Brad is loved and remembered by his mom, Anne Ost of Mankato, daughter Staci Whelchel, her husband Chris and four incredible grandchildren, Lauren, soon to be 14, Kale 12, Eli 9 and Karlee 4; also daughter-in-law Darcy Ost and Brad's other amazing grandson, Caden 13 of York, Nebraska.  His sister, Audra Berry and her family, Belton, MO, brother, Mike, wife Lora and family, brother Larry, wife Ronda and family of Mankato as well as scores of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation Tuesday, October 16, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, and the family will receive friends from 7:00 - 8:30 at Melby Mortuary, 402 N. High Street, Mankato, Kansas.  A celebration of life service for Bradley Neil Ost will be at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 17th at Harmony United Methodist Church, 109 S. High Street, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Rod Rose officiating.  Shelby Gengler and Kaley Broeckelman sang “Hallelujah” and “I Will Rise.” Casket bearers were: Jay Sellami, Brett McGuire, Trevor Elkins, Jesse Ost, Nick Eilert, Danny Eilert, and Jason Eilert.  Honorary casket bearers were:  Ron Whelchel, Doug Hancock, Rodney Payne, Brian Howard, Fred Eilert, Rick Diamond, Gene Underwood, and the late Dennis Clark.  Interment was in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, Kansas, immediately following service.

A memorial in Brad's name has been established with the Jewell Co. Endowment Assoc. for the Rock Hills Athletic Department, Mankato, Kansas

Online condolences can be left at www.melbymortuary.com .  Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.