Diana Lee (Smith) Nuss, 72, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, Kansas.

Diana was born February 26, 1946 in Shreveport, Louisiana, the daughter of Dannie W. and Leona (Messick) Smith.  At the age of 3, Diana and her family moved to Holyrood, Kansas and after a few years moved to Russell.  She graduated from Russell High School in 1964.  She then attended Kansas University, graduated with a Degree in Science in 1969.  Later she attended Ft. Hays State University and graduated with a Masters in Mathematics.

Diana was united in marriage to Kenneth Nuss on June 9, 1991 in Russell. 

Diana was a Math, Science and Biology Teacher in the Lucas Luray High School from 1973 to 1983.  She then moved to the Russell School District and worked in the Russell High School as a teacher in Math, Science, Physics and Biology from 1983 to 1993.  She also was a coach for Basketball, Volleyball and Tennis and keep stats on all sporting activities for the high school. Then in 1993 she returned to the Lucas Luray High School till 1998.  From 1998 to 2000, she was a teacher at Thomas Moore Prep in Hays, Kansas.  She then worked for C.P.I. in Great Bend until retirement in 2012.  She has been a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church since 1983.  She was very active in the church from the Choir to the Board.  She enjoyed sewing, cooking, reading, playing solitary, watching NASCAR with Kenny, but her great love was doing activities and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include her husband of 27 years, Kenneth Nuss of the home; two sons, Daniel Owens (Trisha) of Newton, Kansas and Michael Owens (Kristen) of San Antonio, Texas; three stepsons, Duke Nuss (Lori) of Russell, Kansas, Todd Nuss (Stacey) of Lawrence, Kansas and Brandon Nuss (Katya) of Russell, Kansas; 17 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Celebration of Diana’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 8, 2018 at the Trinity United Methodist Church with Pastor Ezekial Koech officiating.  Visitation and Family greeting friends will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, December 7, 2018 at Trinity United Methodist Church. Cremation has preceded the services.  Memorials have been established with Trinity United Methodist Church or Russell Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.