Memorial
John Kenneth von Lackum, 89, died Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at Cottage Grove Place. A Celebration of John’s Life will take place at 12 PM Saturday, April 28, at the First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. The family will greet friends at the church one hour before the service. Private family inurnment will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
John is survived by his daughter Linda (James) Buchholz of Trabuco Canyon, CA, daughter, Virginia “Ginger” (John) Sabia of Lafayette Hill, PA; grandchildren, John (Nicole) Sabia of Fort Worth, TX, Ed (Malia) Sabia of Highlands Ranch, CO, Emily Buchholz of Trabuco Canyon, CA, Allison Sabia of Lafayette Hill, PA and Brooke Sabia of Jamaica Plain, MA; great-grandchildren, Francesca, Edward “Charlie” and Angelica Sabia; niece, Kathryn Mack McDonald and nephew, Jonathan Mack.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Keller von Lackum; brother, Herbert von Lackum and sister, Marion Mack and infant twin grandsons, Eric and Victor von Lackum Sabia.
John was born February 13, 1929 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Dr. John von Lackum and Addella Boies von Lackum. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1947. He then went onto Grinnell College for two years and graduated from Northwestern University with a BS Degree in 1951. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School with a J.D. Degree in 1954. On June 26, 1954 John was united in marriage to Joyce Keller in Sleepy Eye, MN. Following their wedding, John served in the US Army, and was stationed at the 7th Army Headquarters in Germany. He returned to Iowa in late 1956 where he joined the law firm of Barnes, Wadsworth, Elderkin and Locher and he remained with its successor partnership until 2014. He also served as an Assistant Linn County Attorney during 1961 and 1962. He was a member and past president of the Linn County Bar Association; member of Iowa State Bar Association and American Bar Association.
John was an Elder of the Presbyterian Church both at Westminster Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. He also served on the Ecumenical Community Board of Directors. He was active in several service clubs including the Elks Club and later as a member and past president of the Thursday Noon Optimist Club.
As a fourth generation farm owner in Grundy County, he won the 1999 District Conservation Award from Governor Tom Vilsack and hosted a conservation field day for over 200 people. The farm ownership began with John’s great-grandfather; Iowa’s 14th Governor Horace Boies.
His passions included fishing, hunting, hiking and remote controlled airplanes. He was member of the Cedar Rapids Skyhawks and a 40 plus year member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club. John and his wife traveled extensively worldwide throughout their 60 year marriage.
Memorials in John’s name may be directed to First Presbyterian Church or the Ecumenical Community.