Louis was born April 12, 1930, on a farm near Meeker, Okla., to Joseph and Mark (Petricek) Marak. He died Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at the age of 90 years.
Lou attended the University of Oklahoma briefly before being drafted into the Korean War. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps for two years. He used the G.I. Bill to attend the Kansas City Art Institute.
Louis free-lanced for Hallmark Cards for the Contemporary Department for over 35 years. He and his wife Philomene were instrumental in the founding of the Kansas City Artists Coalition in 1974.
Lou’s creativity and drawing ability were beyond reproach, his wit and wisdom were beloved by all who knew him. He had a long and successful career as a painter, teacher, illustrator and cartoonist. He has artwork in corporate collections nationwide.
Louis painted the crucifix hanging in St. Michaels Catholic Church in Meeker. He has a portrait of Carl Hubbell in the Meeker museum, a portrait of Woody Guthrie in the museum in Okemah and one of Wild Bill Hickock in the Adams Museum in Deadwood, South Dakota, as well as paintings in several art galleries.
He is survived by his wife Philomene Bennett; children, David Marak and wife Lynn, Sharon Musich, John Marak, Elizabeth Anderson and Paul Marak, Brendy Bauman, Bart Bennett and wife Sue, Ben Bennett and wife Sunny, Katherine Price and husband Paul; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Louis was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jean Marie Marak; a son, Brad Bennett; three brothers, Edmund, Wilfrid and Joseph “Joe” Marak; and a sister, Mary Josephine “Mary Jo” Mathews.
No services are planned at this time. Final arrangements were under the direction of Muehlebach Funeral Care in Kansas City, Mo.