DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Family members say former Speaker of the Iowa House and former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Dale Cochran has died. Iowa Rep. John Forbes, Cochran’s son-in-law, says Cochran died Monday in West Des Moines. He was 89. Cochran, a Democrat, was elected to the Iowa House in 1964. He served as House speaker from 1975 to 1979.

He was first elected Iowa secretary of agriculture in 1986 and served three terms, retiring from the job in 1999. Born in Fort Dodge in 1928, Cochran farmed for more than 40 years while serving in elected positions.
He is survived by his wife, Jeannene, three daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral is scheduled for Friday at Dunn’s Funeral Home in Des Moines, with burial in Fort Dodge.