Lawrence Dean Wassmer, 78, of Paola, Kan., passed away Friday, June 26, 2009, in the presence of his loving family in the comfort of his home.

The son of J. L. “Bud” and Dena Noonan Wassmer, Larry was born July 2, 1930, in Ottawa, Kan. He graduated from Ottawa High School in 1948, where he was a three-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball and track. Larry continued his education at Benedictine College and graduated with a bachelor of science in business from the University of Kansas.

In 1955, while selling books for Allyn & Bacon, he met the love of his life, Joyce Aileen Mansfield, who was a nurse at Children’s Hospital in Denver. They were married on Nov. 16 of the same year in McCook, Neb., and shared 53 years of wedded bliss together. They resided in Ottawa, where all five of their children were born. The family moved to Paola in 1973, where they have lived ever since.  

Larry’s 30 years in men’s retail clothing included being co-owner of Wassmer’s Clothing in Ottawa and Wassmer’s at The Wardrobe in Paola. He was later employed at Jack Henry and Kuppenheimer’s. He also managed the Olathe branch of Franklin Savings in Paola for several years. Following his retirement in 1994, Larry was the executive director of the Paola Chamber of Commerce and also employed at H&R Block Tax Service.

He led a joyous, busy life, holding such offices as president of the Paola Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Holy Trinity School Board, Holy Trinity Parish Council, Lake Mary Center board, 50-year member of Knights of Columbus, member of Paola Rotary Club, and was a very active member of the Republican party.

Larry could frequently be found jogging, golfing, water skiing or attending any one of his 16 grandchildren’s and 10 great-grandchildren’s various activities. He remained very active throughout his life, taking walks through Wallace Park nearly every day and running in 5K competitions until the youthful age of 72.

Preceding him in death were his beloved parents, Dena and Bud, and his brother, John.  

Larry will be so dearly missed by his faithful wife, Joyce, of the home; five children: Paul and his wife, Rebecca, Kathy Healey, Mark and his wife, Spica, David and his wife, Cyndi, all of Overland Park, Kan.; Mary Kettler and her husband, Mark, of Paola, Kan.; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Suzanne Wassmer, of Ottawa.

A funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2009, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola, Kan.

Family and friends will meet at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola at 6 p.m. on Sunday, where a rosary will be said followed by a family visitation.

Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Ottawa, Kan.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Holy Trinity Church Stained Glass Windows Fund or Lake Mary Center, in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa KS 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.

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