Ruby Mae (Staab) Nowak, 86, of Russell, Kansas, died peacefully on Friday, April 05, 2024, at the Hays Medical center in Hays, Kansas. After 43 years, Ruby was joyfully reunited with the love of her life, Dale.
Ruby was born on March 31, 1938, in Severin, Kansas, the daughter of Alexius and Celestina (Weigel) Staab. She grew up on the family farm north of the Hays area and graduated from the Girls Catholic High School. Ruby was united in marriage to Dale Nowak at St. Severin Catholic Church in Severin, KS on September 26, 1959. Born to this union were the pride and joy of her life, Brett, Elaine and Brian. Ruby loved nothing more than spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. On the table for every get together were her famous chicken and noodles, bierocks, banana and poppy seed bread. She always made enough to send leftovers home with everyone. She loved hosting dinners for her friends and the priests of St. Mary’s. She kept a stash of breads in her freezer to ensure that no one left her home empty handed. One thing was for sure, when you were invited for a meal, you never left hungry.
After the sudden death of Dale in 1980, Ruby went back to work to raise her young children. She worked for the Sears Catalog Store for many years and was a receptionist for Morris, Brock, Gudenkauf and Ammons. After retirement, she spent time traveling with her sister, Sr. Louella Staab. The two of them traveled the state visiting her children and took a trip to Germany with her brothers and sisters. Family was very important to Ruby. She enjoyed following her grandkids sporting events and cheering them on. Ruby was a member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, KS, serving as a Lector and past president of the Ladies Guild. She was a member of the Russell VFW Post #6240 Ladies Auxiliary.
Ruby is survived by her children Brett Nowak (Debbie) of McPherson, KS, Elaine Rohleder (James) of Hays, KS, Brian Nowak (Cherie) of Omaha, NE. She is survived by one sister, Erlene Leiker (Joe), Olathe; two brothers, Ervell Staab, Omaha, NE and Dennis Staab, Olathe, KS; sister-in-law Cacilie Staab, Hays, KS; seven grandchildren Nickolas Nowak and Jarrod Nowak, Jill Bussinger (Taylor), Andrea Clary (Ben), Samuel Rohleder (Kylee),Thomas Rohleder (Ellie), Hunter Nowak, and step-grandson Jacob Curtis (Tessa), . Seven Great Grandchildren, Tinsley and Beckett Bussinger, Archer Clary, Kamree and Ryan Rohleder, Julian and Everett Rohleder; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ruby was preceded in death by her Parents, husband, Dale, four brothers, Robert Staab, Norman Staab, William Staab, Roger Staab; one sister, Sr. Louella Staab, OP.
A celebration of the funeral mass for Ruby will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas. A Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7 P.M. on Tuesday, April 09, 2024, at the church. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Tuesday, April 09, 2024, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.