Marilyn Ann (Gudenkauf) Carlson, 87, of Seneca KS died on March 3rd, 2023, at the Nemaha Valley Community hospital in Seneca surrounded by her husband and family.
Marilyn was born on Feb. 29th, 1936, in Corning KS to Raphael and Florence (Tanking) Gudenkauf. She attended school at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School in Seneca and graduated in 1954. She moved to Topeka and worked for the State of Kansas. While living in Topeka she would go on to meet her future husband at a dance at Forbes Field.
On September 21st, 1957, Marilyn married Samuel David (Dave) Carlson at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. They made their first home in Ardmore, OK before moving to Seneca to make their permanent home where they raised their 11 children.
Marilyn was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was happiest being surrounded by family playing cards, board games and watching sports, especially the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas Jayhawks. She also enjoyed bingo, quilting, and taking care of others. She was the rosary leader for St. Ann’s Altar Society and was faithful in her commitment to her weekly Perpetual Adoration. She was an Officer on the St. Ann’s Altar Society, taught CCD and volunteered on many boards for the schools while her children attended. Marilyn utilized her love of quilting to volunteer weekly to make quilts for the Labor Day picnic and made many beautiful quilts for her children and grandchildren.
Marilyn was preceded in death by a daughter Elaine Schmitz in 2005, a granddaughter Megan Carlson in 2004, one sister Gladys Koelzer and her parents.
She is survived by her husband Dave of 65 years, five sons, five daughters and a son in law: Dan (Cindy) Carlson, Ken (Lori) Carlson, and Rick Carlson all of Seneca, KS, Nancy (Stan) Gudenkauf of Bentonville, AR, Joyce (Dave) Borg of Falls City, NE, Linda (Craig) Peterson of Kansas City, MO, Mark (Janae) Carlson of Lansing, KS, Tim Schmitz, Diane (James) Hilbert and Keith (Charlene) Carlson all of Topeka, KS and Lisa (Tom) Young of Frisco, TX. She is also survived by 30 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild on the way, 4 Sisters: Mary Grace (Hank) Elder, Elsie (Glenn) Steuve, Phyllis (Cletus) Broxterman and Joyce (Gene) Klingele and many nieces and nephews.
A rosary was prayed on Monday, March 6 at 7:00 pm at Lauer Funeral Home. A second rosary was prayed on Tuesday, March 7 at 10:30 am at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am and burial was in the Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials may be left in Marilyn’s memory to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Seneca, KS, sent in care of the family.
