Obituary of Leona Catherine Gudenkauf

Leona was born on December 3, 1915, in Nashua, Iowa, the daughter of Gregor and Mathilda (Billmeyer) Tegeler. She married August Nicholas Gudenkauf on January 15, 1935, in Dyersville, Iowa. He preceded her in death on Demember 21, 1973. She was a wonderful and caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother who was always willing to help her family whenever it was needed. She was employed at the St. Francix Xavier School Lunch program for over 50 years, retiring at age 87. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was very close to her sisters, brothers and her stepmother and their families. She always loved going out to eat although she was a fabulous cook herself. Survivors include her five children: Grace Stevens, Jim (Sharon R.) Gudenkauf, Marian (Dan) Hoeger, Janet (Charlie) Prier, all of Dyersville, and Carol (Jim) Wegmann of Petersburg; 18 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and expecting two great-great grandchildren; her stepmother, Delores Deutmeyer of Dyersville; sisters: Marcella (Fritz) Bries of Epworth, Lucille Overman of Dyersville, Bernice Holub of Prairieburg, Mary Jean "Toots" (Hank) Westhoff of New Vienna; brothers: Don (Cathy) Tegeler and Herb Tegeler, both of Dyersville; sisters-in-law: Bev Tegeler of Bellevue and Irene (Bob) Fischel of Edgewood. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son-in-law, Frederick "Fritz" Stevens, brothers: Reynold, Gilbert (Sedella), Anthony (Dorothy), and Elmer (Edna) Tegeler; sisters: Lucille (at birth), Helen (Wilfred) Kramer, Norma Platz Deppe (Herb Platz and Lawrence Deppe); sisters-and-brothers-in-law:, Doris Tegeler, Irvin Overman, Earl Holub, and Patricia Tegeler and several in-laws from the Gudenkauf family. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Oak Crest Manor, Hospice of Dubuque, Cookie Scherrman and Fr. Quint for their excellent care and many visits over these last years. Memorials are preferred. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, October 3, 2010, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a parish scripture service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 4, 2010 at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Dennis Quint.