Palmer Brost - Brookings

Jan. 26, 1935 – March 19, 2017

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Palmer Brost,  82, of Brookings, died Sunday, March 19, 2017, at his home, under hospice care. 

Funeral services are at 2 p.m. on Wednesday  at Rude’s Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. and go until the time of the service. Private family burial will be held following the service. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Palmer Gustine Brost was born on Jan. 26, 1935, in Alpena, the son of Phillip and Beatha (Guthmiller) Brost. He attended country schools before graduating from Huron High School in 1953. He continued his education at Huron College, graduating in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Palmer married Bernice Baum on May 25, 1957, in Huron. He was enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard and was called up for active duty in the Army. He attained the rank of SSgt (E-6) before being honorably discharged in October of 1961.

Palmer was employed at Osborn Clothing Company and JCPenney in Huron before moving to Madison, Wis., in 1960. There, he was department manager in the shopping center at JCPenney. In 1962 Palmer and Bernice moved to Brookings, purchased the Olsen Fabric and Children’s Store, and opened Brost’s Fashion Fabrics which is still open as Brost’s Fashions and owned by the Brost family today. Palmer and Bernice have always been very active in downtown Brookings, opening several other businesses and developing properties, including the Village Emporium mini-mall. 

Palmer was a member of the First Lutheran Church and a lifetime member of Elks Lodge No.1490.

Palmer is survived by his wife of 59 years, Bernice; son, Todd; sister-in-law, Betty (Wendell) Maupin; and two nieces. 

Palmer was preceded in death by a brother, Castine Willis.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.