Family of Rock Valley man sues claiming wrongful death

The family of a man who was allegedly choked to death in a Rock Valley nursing home has filed a law suit in the case. The suit accuses Christine Lee Van Oort of stuffing food down 87 year old Dick Post’s throat until he couldn’t breathe. The suit also claims that post suffered a painful and torturous death, and the staff of the Valley Manor Nursing Home tried to cover up the way he died. The lawsuit is asking for actual damages, including funeral and burial expenses, and punitive damages. Sioux County officials are refusing to discuss the case against the 26 year old Van Oort of Rock Valley. She has been charged with first degree murder in the April 16th, 2002 death of Post. Trial has been scheduled for September 23rd.