Kenneth Lorence "Larry" Nowak, 75, Russell, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2012, at the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita due to injuries sustained in a fall.

Larry was born December 16, 1936, in Gorham, Kansas, the son of Henry and Mae (Schulte) Nowak. He grew up in Gorham and graduated from Gorham High School in 1955.

Larry was united in marriage to Mary Alice Dinkel on September 24, 1956, in Gorham. This union was blessed with three children; Karen, Deb and Kent. They made their home in Gorham and later in Russell.

Larry was the owner and operator of the Hays Vacuum and Sewing Center for more than 40 years in Hays, Kansas.

Larry was a member of the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and was a third degree in the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed boating, camping and watching sports, especially the K.C. Chiefs.

Surviving family include his wife of 55 years, Mary Alice of the home; daughters, Karen Martindell of Topeka, Kansas, and Deb Ball and husband Rex of Hays, Kansas; son, Kent Nowak and wife Kim of Russell, Kansas; and eight grandchildren, Taylor, Paige and Blair Martindell, Jason, Jamie and Jenna Ball and Klayton and Kortnie Nowak.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Eddy Nowak and sister Evelyn Adler.

Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2012, at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church of Russell, with Fr. Charles Steier officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with a Vigil being held at 7 p.m. at the mortuary. Memorials have been established with the St. Mary Catholic Gorham Cemetery Fund, St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church or Russell Senior Center. Contributions and condolences may be sent in care to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.