John "Johnny" Drost

John (Johnny) Drost, age 98, of Mitchell, SD died Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at his home under hospice care. Memorial services will be 6:45 PM Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at the Will Funeral Chapel followed by military rites at the funeral chapel. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday, December 17, 20324 at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery on Wednesday.
John (Johnny) Gerrit Drost was born September 2, 1926, at Marion SD to Gerrit and Grace (Johns) Drost.
John worked on farms and hauled produce for Marion Packing Co. In 1944 he was drafted into the Army to serve in WWII. He did his basic training at Camp Roberts in California. He served with the 6th Infantry, Division 20 in the South Pacific. After the peace agreement was signed, he went on to serve with the Army in Germany for 3 years. There, he met the love of his life, Helen. They married May 13th, 1947, in Germany and were married for 74 years.
In 1948, John and Helen returned to Marion, SD and John started work as a Lineman for Turner Hutchinson Electric. He worked in Marion and Parkston and in 1960 he began working for Intercounty Electric in Mitchell. There he served as a Lineman and Line Foreman until his retirement.
John & Helen enjoyed camping at the Missouri River on summer weekends with friends. They loved to fish and visit. John always said that Helen could catch more fish than he could. John also loved to water ski.
After retirement, John & Helen bought a motor home and started traveling south in the winters. They made many new friends and created lifetime memories.
John had many hobbies in retirement. He loved restoring Model A Fords and old International tractors. Some of his favorite memories were working with his nephew Richard restoring Farmall tractors. One of the cars he restored was sold to a buyer in the Netherlands. He would completely dismantle the cars and did most of the work himself.
John also enjoyed woodworking. He could build just about anything. Many furniture items in their house were things he made. He also built around 50 horse drawn wagons. He would replicate wagons and horse drawn machinery that was used on the farm. All the leather harnesses and were hand made.
Yard work was another one of John's passions. He was known for having one of the nicest yards in town. Helen would always have a large garden and many flowers. The lawn was always something people would stop and admire. They received Yard of the Month many times.
One of the accomplishments John was most proud of was becoming Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge in Mitchell in 1972. John told many stories about the dances and events at the Lodge. John and Helen traveled across the country to participate in Elks functions. He was also past Legion Commander of the American Legion in Parkston.
Dogs were a big part of John & Helen's lives. In Germany, they had several dogs. Back at home they always had a dog. Buffy, Tiny I, Tiny II, & Tiny III were their family.
John and Helen were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Mitchell. John was also a past member of the church board.
John is survived by many nieces & nephews and special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Helen, sisters, Dorothy Lauck, Edith Weber, Caroline Buller, nephews, Richard Lauck, Loren Lauck, Darrel Buller and niece, Karen Moore.
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