Morris Ost

Morris passed away peacefully at his home on January 28, 2022 from B-Cell Lymphoma.

Morris was born January 7, 1935, in a sod house northeast of Fredonia ND, the son Albert and Pauline (Gumke) Ost.  That spring the family moved to Fredonia and in 1941 they moved to the Nortonville community, where he attended country school. They moved to the current farm where Morris attended Nortonville Public school, graduating in 1953.

Morris married Lorraine Edwards at the Nortonville United Methodist Church on July 18, 1954. They were married for 60 years until her passing in 2015. They enjoyed a new house they had built for their 50th anniversary. They made their home on the family farm starting out with 4 cows.  In 1955, Morris purchased the farm from his father where he resided until his death.

He raised Registered Angus Cattle, starting the M Heart Ranch and grew wheat, barley, sunflowers, soybeans and corn for silage, retiring in 2002.

There wasn’t much Morris couldn’t fix, weld, or machine.  The saying was “it wasn’t broke, till Morris said it was broke.” We always had a disagreement about his “over building things.”  Anyone that knew him, knew of his dislike for engineers and how things were designed! He always said all they cared about was “getting it out of town!” Morris was a very accomplished pilot, he started flying in 1969 with a Cessna 150, then moving up to a Cessna 172 Skyhawk. He used it for everything from checking cows in pastures, crops, trips to Wyoming to visit family and was always on call for the Sheriff Dept. or pretty much anyone that wanted a ride. He was instrumental in finding a lost child with it.

He loved watching anything his grand kids did and was always extremely proud of their accomplishments - his newest “helper” was his Great Grand Daughter Kayleigh.

Morris had many interests: old saddle ring Winchester rifles, his ”56” Cadillac Coupe Deville and restoring Minneapolis Moline tractors (numerous U’s and a GVII) never missing a plowing bee in Adrian or going on the tractor tour.  Horses were always a big part of his life. His dad was always bringing home a new horse and Morris was always the Guinea pig that tried them out. One of his favorites was “Rocky” a wild mustang that he adopted.

He was involved in many things through the years, Kennison township assessor, supervisor, Life time Member of the Angus Association, James River Riders Saddle Club, Badlands Trail Riders Board.  He enjoyed going along on wrecker calls and picking up vehicles for the shop (driving all the different vehicles).  In the last few years he always looked forward to going to daily lunch at Shady’s in Jamestown.

Morris is survived by his son, Steve (Cammy) Ost, Nortonville; granddaughter, Kaitlin Ost, Minneapolis MN; grandson, Ryan (Coutney) Ost; great-granddaughter, Kayleigh, Nortonville; brother, Larry (Carol) Ost, Corona, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother, Roger Ost.

Funeral Service – 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 4, 2022 at Nortonville United Methodist Church, Nortonville, ND.

Prayer Service – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 3, 2022 at Nortonville United Methodist Church.

Visitation – One before each service at the church.

Burial – Nortonville Cemetery, at a later date.