George E. Gudenkauf, 80, of Seneca, KS, died Sunday, August 17, 2003, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. He had previously had open-heart surgery and developed congestive heart failure.

He was born April 29, 1923, at Onaga, KS, the son of William J. and Florence Becker Gudenkauf. He attended schools at Onaga, Frankfort, and graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in Seneca in 1942. In his younger years, he worked with his father and brothers at their meat market and grocery store in Seneca.

On April 24, 1945, he married Virginia Lueb at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. She survives of the home. They celebrated their 50th anniversery in 1995 and had been married for 58 years.

He was the founder and owner of Gudenkauf Rendering Service in Seneca until they sold it in 1974. He and his wife, Virginia, also built and operated the Windmill Inn Restaurant in Seneca. They retired in 1994.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, where he served on the school board for seven years, and the St. Joseph Society at the church. He served two terms on the Seneca City Council and was a past president of the Seneca Golf Club.

Survivors besides his wife Virginia are a son, Stan Gudenkauf and his wife Nancy of Atlanta, GA; three daughters, Bev Henry and her husband Mark, of Ozawkie, KS, Marcia Pfannenstiel and her husband Terry of Zeeland, MI, Jamie Rettele and her husband Morris of Seneca; 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, William Gudenkauf, Jr. and Wilfred Gudenkauf; and a sister, Dorothy Gilmore.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.