Longtime LV businessman Kostelac dies

Thursday, Oct. 7, 1999 | 9:39 a.m.

Steven T. Kostelac, a civic leader and longtime Las Vegas businessman whose demolition company played a role in the early booming growth of the valley, died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was 85.

Services for Kostelac, who lived in Las Vegas for 53 years, were held Wednesday at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. Hites Funeral Services, 438 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, handled the arrangements.

Kostelac was a demolition contractor who helped pave the way for the start of the valley's significant growth spurts in the 1960s and '70s by clearing and rebuilding sites throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Kostelac also owned and operated several local parking lots for many years.

In 1964 Kostelac, a Republican, ran unsuccessfully for what was then Nevada's lone congressional seat held by Democrat Walter Baring. Kostelac was defeated in the GOP primary by George Von Tobel, who lost in a landslide to Baring.

Two years later Kostelac sought the post of Nevada governor. It was the year Paul Laxalt won the GOP primary and went on to unseat two-term Democratic Gov. Grant Sawyer.

Born Oct. 31, 1913, in Pennsylvania, Kostelac served in the Army in the European theater during World War II.

In 1946 Kostelac moved to Las Vegas and became active in numerous youth programs including the Boy Scouts and 4-H Club.

From 1948 through 1950 Kostelac served as the general superintendent for the motor maintenance shop at Nellis Air Force Base.

In 1950 Kostelac organized the American Federation of Government Employees Union. Four years later Kostelac participated in the organization of the Heart Fund of Las Vegas, which today is the local chapter of the American Heart Association.

Kostelac also was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Eagles, Moose and Elks clubs. He was a past post commander of the American Legion.

Kostelac is survived by a son, Steve Kostelac Jr.; a daughter, Lorraine Carter, both of Las Vegas; two brothers, John Kostelac of Pennsylvania and Francis Kostelac of Las Vegas; and two sisters, Catherine Divjak and Ann Krieder, both of Pennsylvania.