Eugene Louis DeCoster, 94, concluded a life well lived on August 13, 2024, at Timberland Village in Story City. He loved fried chicken wings, westerns, listening to music, strong coffee, playing cards, Sunday dinners, and most of all, his family.

Eugene was born December 15, 1929, in Victor, IA, the son of Louis F. and Ruth Henrietta (DeSchepper) DeCoster. He graduated from St. John's Catholic School in Victor in 1947 and proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. Eugene married his loving wife Doris Ann Dean on February 7, 1951, in Santa Barbara, California.

Eugene attended St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Nevada and was a member of the Harold E. Smith American Legion Post #54 in Victor and a past member of the Knights of Columbus. He spent his life caring for the land on his farm "Heartbreak Ridge" near Victor. Eugene was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, and driving country roads to see how the crops were doing. He was a world class storyteller and always had a joke to share. His pride and joy were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Everyone that met him quickly came to love him. He was a bright soul with a million-dollar smile.

Eugene is survived by his siblings: Robert DeCoster of Plattsmouth, NE, Rita Ashmead of Chicago, IL, sister-in-law Joan DeCoster of Grass Valley, California, and Richard (Carole) DeCoster of Hartwick, IA; his grandchildren: Meg (Mark) Frideres of Nevada, Camiel (Carrie) DeCoster of Brush Creek, TN and Jessica DeCoster of Daytona Beach, FL; his great-grandchildren: Elliot, Nicholas and Lillian Frideres, Amelia and Eliza DeCoster, Elisa DeCoster, Landen, Malik, and J'Den Bostic.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his son James Louis DeCoster; his brother Paul DeCoster; and his sister Joan Stevens.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor. Interment with military honors will be at Calvary Cemetery in Victor. A luncheon will follow at St. Bridget Catholic Church.

The family will receive friends at the visitation held prior to the service from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Eugene DeCoster Memorial Fund, and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 485, Victor, IA 52347. Smith Funeral Home and Crematory in Victor is handling the arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared online with Eugene's family at www.smithfh.com.