Herbert KERST

1935 - 2025

Aug 8, 1935 - Dec 10, 2025

Herbert Thomas "Ted" Kerst, a man who always preferred operating the spotlight rather than having it shine upon him, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, after a brief stay at Hospice House of Spokane. Ted was born to a hardworking, trustworthy family in Baroil, WY, on August 8, 1935. The family moved to Puyallup, WA, in the '40s, where Ted graduated from Puyallup High School. He attended Washington State College but, much to his mother's dismay, didn't find his calling there. While tending to the college's cattle at a livestock show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, he was offered and accepted a job working for the Lucky Beer Hereford Ranch, tending their string of show cattle. He traveled in the railcars with cattle to various livestock shows. In 1953, he settled in Spokane and took a job at Hygrade Food Products, again tending to the cattle. He eventually became head cattle buyer for the company.

In 1957, Ted married the Cheney Homecoming Queen, Donna Barrett, and 18 months later, welcomed their first son. Over the next 6 years, while living in Spokane and Fairfield, MT, they welcomed 2 more sons. After settling in Spokane Valley, they welcomed their 4th child, finally a daughter. Ted insisted that the kids all go to Catholic schools and all graduated from St. Mary School and Gonzaga Prep, while Ted was active in both the school and parish.

Life took another turn in 1980 when the packing plant was closed. Rather than going back on the road to buy cattle, Ted took the opportunity to join his friends/business associates (he made no distinction between the two), Donny Hutsell, Swede Miller, and Jerry Johnson, buying Stockland Livestock Exchange in Spokane. By 1995, he had sole ownership and continued to run the yards with his sons Joe and John, with many assists from Pat and Alicia, until 2010, when the company was sold.

During this period, Ted moved from the family home in Spokane Valley to his ranch on the West Plains, and soon after married Joanne Johnson. After the sale of Stockland, never one to sit things out, Ted continued to order-buy cattle, and raise thoroughbred race horses and more cattle. Ted attended sales every week, buying cattle until his eyes no longer would cooperate at age 88. Never one to quit, he shipped his last 2 loads of cattle from the McKinley Ranch at Cheney just 2 months ago.

Ted shared his deep knowledge of the livestock industry with others, serving many roles: Judge of too many fairs and junior livestock shows to count, Chairman of the Washington State Beef Commission, Vice President of the Washington Livestock Marketing Association, Honorary Trustee of the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane, 2 time judge of the World Auctioneering Championship, and many other boards.

Ted never touted his own accomplishments and accepted his setbacks quietly and with dignity, determined to succeed to the very end.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Eleanor Kerst; his brothers, Michael and Jim; son Joe; and both wives. He is survived by his children, Fr. Pat Kerst, John Kerst, and Alicia (Matt) Reid, all of Spokane, as well as his three grandchildren, Austin, Kennedy, and Walker; sisters Betty Mauck, Mary (Bob) Wulfekuhle, Judie (Jerry) Van Pevenage, Penny (John) Lyons, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Gloria, Fr. Richard, Brian, and Kristina Poole of Spokane, whom he considered family.

A Vigil with Rosary will be prayed at St. Thomas More Church in Spokane on Thursday, December 18, at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas More on Friday, December 19, at 11:00 am, followed by the Committal Service at Holy Cross Cemetery and a reception at St. Thomas More.