Ronald C. Jost

Ronald C. Jost, lifelong farmer and rancher in Potter County, SD, died peacefully in his sleep on September 4, 2026, at home in Sioux Falls, SD. He was 85 years old.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Gettysburg Cemetery.

Ronnie, as he was known to his family and friends, was the fourth child of Ben and Oralle (Rowse) Jost. He was born April 23, 1941, in Lebanon, SD. After graduating with the Gettysburg High School class of 1959, he attended Business School in Grand Island, NE, and served six years in the SD National Guard. He married Eileen Bown from Agar, SD, on a bitterly cold night, December 9, 1967. They dodged a car-decorating ambush thanks to pranksters who weren’t willing to brave the cold.

Their first home was in Lebanon. After six years they moved to the Jost home place, where they spent the next 50 years doing what Ronnie loved most: raising their family, farming, and ranching. Ronnie eventually was able to unite all three farms homesteaded in the late 1800’s by his grandfather George Jost, and George’s two brothers, Frank and Mike. After retirement, Ronnie and Eileen spent 12 winters in Gold Canyon, Arizona, but came back permanently in 2023 because they missed their kids and grandkids.

An avid hunter most of his life, Ronnie loved chasing anything—ducks, deer, pheasants, elk, even shooting blackbirds out the bathroom window. Some of his happiest days were spent going west river to hunt with a good friend. After retirement, he took particular joy in raising a small elk herd. He could often be seen driving around in his old red pickup, checking the fields, and giving a big wave and smile to everyone he passed. There was no sport event that he would not watch on TV. Many hours were spent in his shop working on a tractor, his boat, or fixing the latest thing that the kids–or Eileen– had broken, from broken appliances to half-wrecked cars. On a nice summer day, you could find him down at Dodge Draw fishing for walleye or golfing with his buddy Dean at the Gettysburg Country Club.

Cherishing their life together for 59 years is his wife, Eileen. They were blessed with four children: Ronette (Paul) Hegg, Rebecca Baird, Travis (Jessica), and Lisa (Tim) Kacena; and nine grandchildren: Vivian, Olivia, Lucas, Joni, AJ, Henderson, Claire, Sloan, and Alice.

While our hearts ache at the loss of our precious husband, father, and grandfather, Ronnie was every part of us that is good–every part of us that reaches out to others, every part of us that remembers we are all in this together.

Ronnie is survived by his sister Doreen Monroid of Oahu, HI; sisters-in-law Sola Jost of Agar, SD and Florence Jost of Hot Springs, SD; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Oralle Jost; brothers Larry and Denny; and brother-in-law Chuck Monroid.

Memorials may be sent to Keep Hope Local, 127 Hilltop Dr. Gettysburg, SD 57442.

Ronnie was a loving father and husband—no greater tribute can be said of any man.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Ronald’s arrangements.