Lester John Gudenkauf (Gudenkauf)
August 17, 1933 — August 4, 2013
Lester John Gudenkauf, 79, of Manchester passed away peacefully on August 4, 2013 surrounded by his family.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Manchester conducted by Rev. Joseph Schneider. Visitation will be at the Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Manchester, Tuesday, August 6 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Recitation of Rosary by Catholic Daughters at 3:00 p.m. and Vigil Services at 7:30 p.m. Additional visitation, one hour before services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Lester was born August 17, 1933 in Worthington, Iowa, the son of Walter and Lucinda (Recker) Gudenkauf. The family later moved to a farm they purchased near Ryan. Lester attended and graduated from St. Patrick’s School, Ryan. Upon graduation, he was employed as a mechanic and also construction prior to farming.
On June 30, 1959, Lester was united in marriage to Marian (Haennig) at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Masonville by the Reverend Michael J. O’Sullivan.
Lester was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Manchester. He was past member of the Holy Name Society, Immaculate Conception Church in Masonville, Parish council member, Cemetery board member, Farm Bureau, and Antique Tractor Collector Two Cylinder Club.
Lester was a lifetime Prairie Township farmer. He was a steward of the soil. He enjoyed playing cards, traveling and visiting with neighbors and friends. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Great interest was expressed in his children and grandchildren activities, encouraging them in all their endeavors. Lester’s life exemplified his strength of spirit and strong will to live life to the fullest despite the challenges life presented him. His fortitude carried him forward. Lester is an inspiration to all who love him.
Lester is survived by his wife, Marian of Manchester; six children, Michael (Mary Lou Schaul) Gudenkauf of Masonville, James (Robin Huls) Gudenkauf of Manchester, Mark (Carrie Smith) Gudenkauf of Independence, Mary Beth (Kevin) Offerman of Manchester, Joan (Greg) Deutmeyer of Edgewood; and Janet (Michael) Philipp of Manchester; Sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild; four brothers, Gerald (Ann) Gudenkauf of Manchester, Raymond (Sally) Gudenkauf of Ryan, Dennis (Judy) Gudenkauf of Manchester, Elmer “Jerry” (Dianne) Gudenkauf of Cheyenne, Wyoming; three sisters, Mary Ann (Edward) Schulte of Manchester, Grace Pruss of Marion, and Alice (Lawrence) Sperfslage of Strawberry Point; and one brother-in-law Laverne Vaske of Marion; and many nieces and nephews.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; sisters-in-law, Judy Gudenkauf, Frances Joan Vaske; and nephews, Kenneth Beranek and John Gudenkauf.
Please sign the online guestbook for Lester at www.murdochfuneral home.com under obituaries.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Manchester conducted by Rev. Joseph Schneider. Visitation will be at the Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Manchester, Tuesday, August 6 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Recitation of Rosary by Catholic Daughters at 3:00 p.m. and Vigil Services at 7:30 p.m. Additional visitation, one hour before services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Lester was born August 17, 1933 in Worthington, Iowa, the son of Walter and Lucinda (Recker) Gudenkauf. The family later moved to a farm they purchased near Ryan. Lester attended and graduated from St. Patrick’s School, Ryan. Upon graduation, he was employed as a mechanic and also construction prior to farming.
On June 30, 1959, Lester was united in marriage to Marian (Haennig) at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Masonville by the Reverend Michael J. O’Sullivan.
Lester was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Manchester. He was past member of the Holy Name Society, Immaculate Conception Church in Masonville, Parish council member, Cemetery board member, Farm Bureau, and Antique Tractor Collector Two Cylinder Club.
Lester was a lifetime Prairie Township farmer. He was a steward of the soil. He enjoyed playing cards, traveling and visiting with neighbors and friends. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Great interest was expressed in his children and grandchildren activities, encouraging them in all their endeavors. Lester’s life exemplified his strength of spirit and strong will to live life to the fullest despite the challenges life presented him. His fortitude carried him forward. Lester is an inspiration to all who love him.
Lester is survived by his wife, Marian of Manchester; six children, Michael (Mary Lou Schaul) Gudenkauf of Masonville, James (Robin Huls) Gudenkauf of Manchester, Mark (Carrie Smith) Gudenkauf of Independence, Mary Beth (Kevin) Offerman of Manchester, Joan (Greg) Deutmeyer of Edgewood; and Janet (Michael) Philipp of Manchester; Sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild; four brothers, Gerald (Ann) Gudenkauf of Manchester, Raymond (Sally) Gudenkauf of Ryan, Dennis (Judy) Gudenkauf of Manchester, Elmer “Jerry” (Dianne) Gudenkauf of Cheyenne, Wyoming; three sisters, Mary Ann (Edward) Schulte of Manchester, Grace Pruss of Marion, and Alice (Lawrence) Sperfslage of Strawberry Point; and one brother-in-law Laverne Vaske of Marion; and many nieces and nephews.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; sisters-in-law, Judy Gudenkauf, Frances Joan Vaske; and nephews, Kenneth Beranek and John Gudenkauf.
Please sign the online guestbook for Lester at www.murdochfuneral home.com under obituaries.
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