Alvin B. Gudenkauf

1937 - 2025

Watertown, WI - Alvin Gudenkauf passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

Alvin was born on June 14, 1937 in Ixonia to Bernard and Emma (Niehaus) Gudenkauf. When Alvin was three years old, the family moved to a farm on the southside of Watertown. He took great pride with regards to residing on the family farm for the next 85 years. He attended grade school at St. Henry's Catholic School as well as the one room school on Hwy X, and graduated from Watertown High School.

On May 7, 1966, Alvin married Judith Schlender at St. Henry's Catholic church in Watertown, and were able to celebrate 58 years of marriage together. Alvin and Judy proceeded to build a life on the family dairy farm where they raised four children: Michele (Bill) Uecker, Mike (Anna) Gudenkauf, Connie Gudenkauf (Robert Berry), all of Watertown, and Cindy (Terrell) Maten of Rockford, IL. Alvin was blessed with seven grandchildren: Jarrett (Erica) Beal, Benjamin Uecker, Leah (Brad) Warmka, Colin Uecker, Alvin Maten, Maryann Gudenkauf, and Greg Gudenkauf plus a step-grandson, Derek (Danielle) Lind and also great-grandchildren: Kenzley and Briella Beal and Jaeda and Abram Lind.

Alvin was a soft spoken man who found great joy in life on the farm. He loved driving the gator around the property checking out the crops, and spending quiet moments under the big maple tree at the home farm after milking or later on his front porch. He was always proud to showcase the family farm, especially when his son hosted the Watertown Agri-Business June Dairy breakfast on five separate occasions. Alvin found pleasure in watching the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers, Badgers, and WWE wrestling. He was a regular at his kids' and grandkids' sporting events, and enjoyed a good game of sheepshead. Above all, Alvin cherished the time spent with family and friends.

Alvin is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, two sisters: Mary (Richard) Stanley, Whitewater and Betty Marshke, La Mirada, CA, brother in-law (spouse) Wallace (Louise) Schlender, and sisters-in-law Dorothy Schroeder, Nancy Schlender, and Elaine Schlender. He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings (spouse): Arnold (Margaret) Gudenkauf and Norma (Robert) Boehm, as well as brothers/sisters-in-law Delores (Clarence) Schultz, Norma (Orville) Schultz, Milton Schlender, Leroy (Kathy) Schlender, Helen (Gordon) Campbell, and James Schroeder.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at St. Henry's Catholic Church with Father David Drefcinski presiding. Family and friends may gather for a visitation from 8:30 am until the time of the funeral mass. After the service, Alvin will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin. Following the burial, a luncheon will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Hwy B, Johnson Creek.

The family would like to extend immense gratitude to Rainbow Hospice and Diane from Visiting Angels for providing great care and assistance to allow Alvin to live at home until he was called back to heaven. Memorials can be given to Rainbow Hospice or charity of one's choice.