Barbara Ann Gudenkauf

Barbara Ann Gudenkauf, 87, of Sabetha, Kansas died on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Sabetha Manor in Sabetha. 

Barbara was born on September 24, 1937, in Topeka, Kansas, to John and Barbara (Artzer) Dechand, and Barbara was one of seven children born to this union. Barbara grew up and attended school in Topeka. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School, and she graduated in May 1955 from Hayden High School. After graduation, Barbara got her first job at Southwestern Bell Telephone in Topeka. Barbara married Robert “Bob” John Gudenkauf on September 10, 1960, at Sacred Heart Church in Topeka, and they were blessed with seven children. Bob and Barbara lived in Topeka until 1971 when they returned to the Gudenkauf family farm northeast of Seneca, Kansas where they operated a dairy and farmed until 1992. Barbara’s life as a farm wife and her children kept her busy, but it was a life she loved. 

Barbara attended the Sacred Heart Church and St. Joseph Church when she lived in Topeka. When she moved back to the Seneca community, she was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, and later a member at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sabetha where she was also a member of the Altar Society. 

In 2008, Barbara moved into the High Rise Apartments in Sabetha, and then, on February 1, 2024, she moved into the Sabetha Manor in Sabetha. Barbara thoroughly enjoyed living at these two facilities and she considered the people who lived and worked there as part of her family. Barbara enjoyed playing Bingo with her friends at the Manor, trying her luck at Lottery Scratch Tickets, crocheting, embroidering, watching WWE Wrestling, spending time with her family, and attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob, on January 13, 1999; her siblings, Mildred Collard, Albert Dechand, Ralph Dechand, Rosie Hewitt, and Mary Kirkwood; and her great-grandson, Noah Gudenkauf.

Barbara is survived by her three sons, Daniel Gudenkauf (Jason Bath) of Kansas City, Missouri, Doug (Jana) Gudenkauf of Wellington, Colorado, and Darin (Amanda) Gudenkauf of Tennessee; four daughters, Lesa (Greg) Duryea of Morrill, Kansas, Lori (Merlin) Gruber of Morrill, Kansas, Linda (Chris) Baumgartner of Sabetha, and Lynette (Doug) VanDonselaar of New Sharon, Iowa; her sister, Theresa Desch of Topeka, Kansas; her 16 grandchildren; her six great-grandchildren plus another great-granddaughter expected soon; and her extended family and friends at the High Rise Apartments and the Sabetha Manor. 

Barbara will lie in state on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A visitation will be held starting at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the church, and a rosary will be prayed starting at 7:00 p.m. 

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sabetha. Interment with be in the Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Seneca, Kansas. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Meals on Wheels program sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.