Eileen Joy Brost

McFarland - Eileen Joy (Smith) Brost, age 74, died April 17, 2024 at Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. She was born on August 29, 1949, in Beloit, Wisconsin to Ervin D. and Delyla J. Smith. The family lived in Boscobel for 11 years before moving to Madison, Wisconsin in 1964. Eileen graduated from LaFollette High School in 1967. She attended Methodist Hospital School of Nursing and briefly worked as a surgical technician at UW Hospital. She married Kenneth E. Brost, Jr. on November 7, 1970 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin. They started a family and moved to McFarland, Wisconsin, where she became an active member of McFarland Lutheran Church, especially in choir and Circle groups. Eileen was a loving, selfless and devoted stay-at-home mother for many years and a caregiver to her parents and grandparents. When her children were grown, she began a career as a realtor and enjoyed helping people find homes in McFarland and on the east side of Madison. In the Best of McFarland awards, she was voted the top real estate agent by members of the community in 2005 and 2007. She retired from First Weber Group Realtors in 2007 after 14 years. She and Ken celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2020, still smitten with each other. In retirement she continued to be active at McFarland Lutheran Church and served as a Council Member. She traveled regularly with Ken to New York City and Albuquerque, New Mexico to visit her children and grandchildren, who adored her for her unwavering support, thoughtfulness, and unrivaled kindness.

She is survived by her husband Ken Brost, Jr. of McFarland; her daughter Amy (Harvey Wang) Brost of Brooklyn, New York; her daughter Rachael (Matthew) Powell of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her three grandchildren, Lela Wang, Leo Wang, and Samuel Powell; her brother Dana Smith and niece Megan Smith of Morganton, North Carolina; and her nephew Kris Smith and grandniece Harper Smith of Plymouth, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her infant son Ryan in 1973, her father in 2003 and her mother in 2014.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at McFarland Lutheran Church, 5529 Marsh Rd, McFarland, Wisconsin, with Rev. Kelli Schmit presiding. A luncheon will follow in the McFarland Lutheran Church Family Life Center. Private burial will take place in Lower McFarland Cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 AM until the time of services at church on Thursday. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Agrace Foundation or McFarland Lutheran Church. Her family would like to thank the staff of Agrace for all their loving care of Eileen.