Richard H. Gudenkauf

Richard H. Gudenkauf, 85, of Topeka, passed away on November 10, 2021, at the House at Midland Care.

He was born in Seneca, Kansas on December 19, 1935, the son of Henry Clement and Mary Elizabeth (Mandeville) Gudenkauf.

He was a 1954 graduate of Hayden High School and attended college at Butler County and at Washburn University.

Mr. Gudenkauf served in the U.S. Army and spent 18 months in Germany as a Supply Clerk.

Richard worked for a year at the State of Kansas and in 1961 went to work for the USDA in Plant and Animal Health Research. At his retirement he was the Food Program Specialist with the State and Federal Food and Nutrition programs and enforced Quality Control across the state.

He was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church where he attended daily mass, and was an usher, a volunteer with the funeral luncheons, the card marathon at the church and he and his wife did adoration. He was also involved with the Kids Prayer Partners at the St. Matthew School.  Richard was also a member of Knights of Columbus Council 13012 at St. Matthew Church and the James W. Gibbons Assembly of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.

Richard enjoyed camping, fishing watching basketball and football and especially vegetable and flower gardening. He had an immaculate yard and enjoyed working outside in his garden.

He married Anna Margaret (Scott) at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Leon, Iowa on February 7, 1959.  She survives.  He is survived by three sons, Gregory A. Gudenkauf and Mark J. (Carol) Gudenkauf all of Topeka, and R. Scott Gudenkauf and finacee Julie Gorton of Ottawa, Kansas, eleven grandchildren, Travis Gudenkauf, Kerby Epperson, Kelsey Gudenkauf, Hannah Gudenkauf, Chase Gudenkauf, Alexah Lemon, Josephine Maryott, Erica Baker, Courtney Vargas and Ryan Gudenkauf, 15 great grandchildren, and a brother David (Dolores) Gudenkauf of Indianapolis, IN.  He was preceded in death by a son, Rodney J. Gudenkauf in 1966, a granddaughter Sarah Gudenkauf and a great grandchild, Emery Gudenkauf.  He was also predeceased by his siblings, Tom Gudenkauf, Rosalia “Sally” Smith, Cecilia “Bub” Peterson, Lawrence Gudenkauf, Pete Gudenkauf and John Gudenkauf, and a sister Mary Elizabeth who died in infancy.

The family will receive friends at St. Matthew Church on Monday, from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M., followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 10:00 A.M., and a chalice ceremony by the James W. Gibbons Assembly of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M., followed by interment with military honors at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew Church or Midland Care Hospice and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Ks.66603.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.