Print
Permanent LinkSenator Lucas James DeKoster View All Years
LUCAS J. DE KOSTER
Lucas James De Koster was born on June 18, 1918, in Hull, Iowa, to John and Sarah Katherine De Koster. He passed away on February 23, 2000, at his home in Hull at the age of eighty-one. He is survived by his wife; five children and their spouses, Sarah K. and Dr. Randall C. Hart of Oskaloosa, the Reverend Jacqueline A. and Frank D. Thomas of St. Joseph, Missouri, John G. and Glenda De Koster of Hull, Claire E. and Paul W. Gillaspey of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Mary D. and Philip A. Ness of Albert Lea, Minnesota; twelve grandchildren; and four sisters.
Lucas De Koster was raised in Hull. He attended Kansas State College (now Kansas State University) in Manhattan, Kansas, and later he attended Iowa State College in Ames. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1939. On December 30, 1942, he married Dorothea LaVonne Hymans in Hull. He was employed in the aeronautical industry in New Jersey, Virginia and Ohio, where he designed jet-propulsion engines. While in Ohio, he attended Cleveland Marshall Law School and received a doctor of laws degree, cum laude. After being admitted to the Iowa Bar in June 1952, he practiced general law and patent law in Hull, Iowa.
Mr. De Koster was an active member of the American Reformed Church and a founding member of the Hull Public Library. Reading was important to him, and he spent much time promoting the library. He was devoted to his family and church and gave many years of dedicated service to his community, state, and nation.
Senator De Koster was a Sioux County Republican and was elected to the Iowa Senate in 1964. He served from 1965 to 1982, during the 61st through the 69th General Assemblies. Senator De Koster was chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He served on the Iowa State Board of Public Instruction for six years and was a loyal and valued member of numerous civic, community, and state organizations. He was noted for his ability to listen to all sides of an issue and make his decision based on what he thought was in the best interest of the people of his district and the state.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA: That in the passing of the Honorable Lucas J. De Koster, the State has lost an honored citizen and faithful and useful public servant, and that the Senate by this resolution expresses its appreciation of his service to the State and tenders its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.
KENNETH VEENSTRA, Chair
JOHN REDWINE
MARY LOU FREEMAN
Committee