DeKoster, Lucas J. - 1918-2000

DEKOSTER, HYMANS, POPPEN

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/13/2011 at 14:51:59

Sioux Center News, March 1, 2000

Former Iowa Senator Lucas J. De Koster, 81, of Hull, died Wednesday, February 23, at his residence.

Memorial services were at 10:30 a.m., Monday at American Reformed Church in Hull with the Rev. Steven Bierly officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Hope Cemetery.

De Koster was born June 18, 1918, the son of John & Sarah Katherine (Poppen) De Koster, in Hull, where he was raised. He attended Kansas State University and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He married Dorothea LaVonne Hymans on December 30, 1942 in Hull. He worked in the aeronautical industry in New Jersey, Virginia and Ohio. While in Ohio, he attended Cleveland Marshall Law School and received his doctor of law degree, graduating cum laude. He practiced patent law in Cleveland.

In the early 1950's, the couple returned to Hull, where he assisted his father in the insurance business. He was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1952. He practiced general and patent law and continued the ownership and operation of the De Koster Insurance Agency. He represented Northwest Iowa in the Iowa Senate from 1965 to 1983, and served on the Iowa State Board of Public Instruction for six years.

He was a member of American Reformed Church and was a founding member of Hull Public Library. He belonged to numerous civic, community and state organizations.

Survivors include his wife; a son and his wife, John G. & Glenda of Hull; four daughters and their husbands; Sarah K. & Dr. Randall C. Hart of Oskaloosa; the Rev. Jacqueline A. & Frank D. Thomas of St. Joseph, MO; Claire E. & Paul W. Gillaspey of Sioux Falls, and Mary D. & Philip A. Ness of Albert Lea, MN; 12 grandchildren; and four sisters, Neeltje Anne De Koster of Cleveland; Judith Englert and Patricia Echelberger both of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Theodora Jones of Omaha.

Memorials may be directed to Friends of the Hull Public Library and American Reformed Church Building Fund.