Marda C. Stuke Gudenkauf, 89, of Seneca, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Crestview Nursing and Residential Living in Seneca.

Marda was born on March 19, 1936, in Axtell, Kansas, to John and Julia Hickey Stuke. She grew up south of Baileyville and attended Baileyville Catholic Grade School before finishing her high school education at Sts. Peter and Paul High School in Seneca, where she graduated in 1954.

After high school, Marda moved to Topeka and worked briefly at Continental Shoe for just over a year, before returning to Seneca to care for her mother, who was dealing with health issues.

On September 15, 1956, Marda married Harry D. Gudenkauf at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. They initially lived in Seneca until 1971, when they moved to their farm north of Seneca, where they continued to build their life together.

Marda was a woman who thrived on staying busy. She owned and operated H & M Decorating on Main Street in Seneca from 1965 to 2003. After retiring, she embraced her role as a homemaker and spent her days baking bread and pies, tending to her beloved flower beds, and researching her Irish heritage. Her deep love for her family was evident in the time she devoted to them.  Marda lead the rosary for the departed, a cherished ritual, as they entered the church for their funeral Mass.

Marda was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and the St. Ann’s Altar Society in Seneca.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, Michael Stuke, and a sister, Mary Jo White.

She is survived by her husband Harry, and her children Mike (Karen) Gudenkauf of Seneca, Milinda (Bill) Sperfslage of Kelly and Doug Gudenkauf of Seneca, a sister Marian Kaberline of Topeka and 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Rosaries will be prayed at 7 PM Thursday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 AM Friday at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic church cemetery in Seneca.

Memorial designations will be decided at a later date.