Lawrence A. Kowalski

Lawrence A. Kowalski, 70, of St. Paul, died Thursday, July 18, 2013, at his home. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Ray Kosmicki will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church, with a 6 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Kowalski was born on Nov. 8, 1942,on the family farm near St. Libory, the son of Gregory and Monica (Augustyn) Kowalski. He was united in marriage to Loretta A. Layher on July 11, 1964, at St. Paul. He is survived by his wife, Loretta of St. Paul; his children and their spouses, LaJean and David De La Motte of Grand Island, Lonnie and Joann Kowalski of Papillion, Laurie and Larry Van Mark of Grand Island, Lynette Kowalski of St. Paul, Lisa and Danny Boyce of Grand Island and Lee and Naomi Kowalski of Aurora. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Lawrence grew up near St. Libory where he attended Howard County rural schools and attended high school in St. Paul and Dannebrog. He served in the Nebraska National Guard for 2 years. After he and Loretta were married they lived at St. Libory and he worked for area farmers. They later moved to St. Paul where he worked for the Howard County Roads Department before starting his career with the Nebraska Department of Roads. He retired in 2005, after 25 years of service. He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Lawrence enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and took pride in his yard. He loved polka music, playing cards and watching TV westerns and attending his children and grandchildren's sporting events. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Evelyn Knapp; and three brothers, Alozy, Paul and Anton Kowalski. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.