Eugene E. Gudenkauf

Eugene Edward Gudenkauf, 88, of Cascade, Iowa, passed away Friday, October 3, 2025, at his home at River Bend surrounded by family in Cascade, IA.

Visitation for Eugene will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa. A prayer service and will be held at 2:30 p.m. with Rosary by the Knights of Columbus at 7 pm. Visitation will also be at 9-10 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

Funeral Mass for Eugene will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa, with Rev. Michael Schueller officiating. Services will be live streamed at 10:30 a.m. on the St. Thomas Aquinas Facebook page. Burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, Iowa with military honors.

Eugene was born at home on June 16, 1937, near Castle Grove, IA, as the second oldest child of Edward & Lucille (Trumm) Gudenkauf. He attended St. Mary’s School in Cascade and worked for local farmers before joining the U.S. Army. From 1956 to 1958, he served in a motor pool unit in Pusan, South Korea. On October 5, 1963, he was united in marriage to Anita McCarthy at Holy Family Catholic Church in New Melleray. Farming was what he always loved and did so with his dad for many years. In 1967, Eugene bought the family farm from his dad north of Cascade and was proud to raise crops and livestock to provide for his wife and five kids. He particularly loved his Allis-Chalmers tractors and the hillside view from his homestead. For many years, he also beat the sunrise by delivering the Telegraph Herald newspaper to rural areas around Cascade.

Eugene was a kind and friendly neighbor and active in the Cascade community. He was a member of St. Matthias Parish in Cascade. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus, Legion Post 528 and longtime township trustee. He thoroughly enjoyed playing the role of Santa in the community many times. Eugene’s Catholic faith was very important to him. He served on committees to restore & install the organ at St. Martin’s and repurpose St. Mary’s Church. He helped with CEW retreats and delivered toys to farm families in need during the holiday season with Fr. Norm White of the Rural Life Office.

He is survived by his four children, Kathy (Gilbert) Korthals of Bondurant, Dennis Gudenkauf of Cascade, Sue Gudenkauf of Cascade, and Jennifer (Joe) Weyers of Ames; “fifth daughter” Jenna Regis of Cascade; nine grandchildren, Jessica, Abby, and Erin Korthals, Kara (Wayne) Ruble, Max, Auggie, Nico, Mary-Lou, and Clare Weyers; three sisters, Bernadette (Bob) Staner of Dyersville, Joyce (Tony) Feldmann of Earlville, Joann (Donnie) Knipper of Dyersville; brothers and sisters-in-law Jim Rollinger, Philip (Colleen) McCarthy, Joann (Peter) Gansen, Elizabeth McCarthy, and Karen (Wayne) Streif; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Anita Rose Gudenkauf, on January 31, 2023; daughter, Lois Ann Gudenkauf on November 24, 2017; father and mother, Edward and Lucille Gudenkauf; sister, Lavonne Rollinger; brother and sister-in-law, Loras and Mary Lea Gudenkauf; sister-in-law, Sandy Rollinger, brother-in-law, Leonard McCarthy; a niece, Mary Gudenkauf.

The family would like to thank the staff of River Bend Retirement Community for their amazing care of both Eugene and Anita. The family would also like to thank Hospice of Dubuque for their care and services.