God came and took a very special lady on June 23, 2014. Virginia A. Gudenkauf, 87, of Seneca is with her eternal family.

She was born to Henry J. and Alvira Leddy Lueb on February 6, 1927 in Seneca. Virg, or Jenny, as she was known to her many friends and family, loved and enjoyed life to the fullest. She attended and graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul High School in 1945.

On April 24, 1945, she married George E. Gudenkauf at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca and the couple celebrated 57 years of happiness together before George’s death on August 7, 2003. They enjoyed extensive travel together and with their children. They were developers and owners of Gudenkauf Rendering Service until they retired in 1974. Later they built and operated the Windmill Inn Restaurant until they retired in 1994.

Virginia and George were pillars in the community always willing to lend a helping hand. Virginia served on the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Board and served on the interior decorating committee in the development of the hospital. She also was the president of St. Ann’s Altar Society, BPWC of Seneca, the Ladies Golf Club and served on the Election Board for many years.  She loved to play bridge with several groups and was a Red Hat Lady.

Virginia was a loving and wonderful wife and mother, a meticulous house keeper and an amazing cook. She devoted her life to her family. She loved family gatherings, shopping for antiques and playing cards.

She is survived by her children, Stan (Nancy) Gudenkauf of Atlanta, GA, Bev (Mark) Henry of Ozawkie, KS, Marcia Pfannenstiel (Terry) of Zeeland, MI and Jamie (Morris) Rettele of Seneca; a sister, Vivian Heideman of Seneca, 16 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m., Friday, June 27, 2014 at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials are for Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.