Barbara Joanne Gudenkauf

Barbara Joanne Gudenkauf, 74, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2025, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at New Covenant Bible Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the church. A private family burial will be held at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama, Iowa.

Barb was born on February 8, 1950, in Independence, Iowa, to Dale and Arlene Gerlach. She was the oldest of three children and grew up on a dairy farm in the rolling hills north of Tama/Toledo, Iowa. While living the farm life, Barb did everything from baling hay, staying active in 4-H, and showing the family’s cows at the Iowa State Fair. In 1968, in her senior year of high school, she was named the Iowa State Dairy Princess. One of her favorite activities away from the farm was spending time with her aunt and uncle, Helen and Don Bortz, and waterskiing on the Cedar River in the summer. Shortly after High School, Barb took a job as a secretary at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, where she moved through the company for over 40 years, before retiring in 2011. Despite retiring, to the shock of no one, she kept busier than ever helping anyone and everyone she possibly could. 

In 1979, she met John Gudenkauf at the Green Gable Inn located in Cedar Rapids. The following year, on April 26, 1980, they were happily married, until John’s passing in April of 2024. Over the years Barb spent her time fishing, reading books, and often reading books while fishing…. and catching more fish than anyone else while doing it! She enjoyed playing the piano and also giving lessons. She always had the energy and desire to do yard work and tend to her flowers around the house. She mowed the lawn, shoveled snow, and wouldn’t stop even when asked. Barb diligently studied the Bible and cherished her time at New Covenant Bible Church, worshiping and volunteering for over 40 years. Barb lived the lessons she learned in the Bible and at church, being as selfless of a person as anyone could ever know. In John’s later years, during his battle with Parkinson’s disease, Barb, with unconditional love and grace, fulfilled the role of caregiver. Despite the challenges, stress and heartache, she remained by his side until the very end.

As her children grew older and had families of their own, Barb cherished time with her six grandchildren, whether it was watching a sporting event, having them stop by for the day or a meal or having them come visit for long stretches in the summer.

Barb is survived by her three children: Brad (Susan) of Eagan, Minnesota, Janna of Cedar Rapids, and Jeff (Jacklyn) of Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Zach and Symon Ender, Kaden and Kaija Gudenkauf, and Lexi and Hunter Gudenkauf; as well as her two siblings, Vicki (Chuck) Sawyer and Steve (Becky) Gerlach.

Barb was preceded in death by her loving husband, John, and her parents, Dale and Arlene Gerlach.

Barb had a deep love for the Lord and her family. She will undoubtedly be most remembered, by EVERYONE, for her selflessness and concern for other’s needs before her own. She tirelessly helped anyone who needed it, even if they didn’t ask, she was always there at a moment’s notice. 

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the family to be distributed at a later date.