Cecilia Mary Gudenkauf Bourbonnais

Cecilia Mary Gudenkauf Bourbonnais, 93, retired ADAPT Counselor, CADC II NCAC, went to be with the Lord the morning of January 4, 2020, in Wichita, Kansas. Cecilia was known as “Sis”, as her brother dubbed her as a child. She was born in Seneca, Kansas, and graduated college from Mount St. Scholastica. She spent much of her childhood and young adult life in Frankfort, Kansas, eventually living out her life in Wichita, Kansas. She worked at Juilliard in New York City as an accompanist and returned to Frankfort to become a music teacher. She taught music for many years in Wichita and surrounding Kansas towns. She was married to James M. Liepman having seven children; later marrying John A. Bourbonnais having one child. Following her teaching career, she owned The Carpet House with her husband, John Bourbonnais. She was a devoted addiction counselor, helping many into recovery. Sis was a lively, happy and strong woman. A friend to many and a loving mother and grandmother. Her life was full even when she was in assisted living. She could be best described as the “Life of the Party”. She was preceded in death by her husbands; parents, Henry and Barbara Gudenkauf; brother, Hubert Gudenkauf, and son, Cecil Joseph Liepman. She is survived by her children along with the many spouses that were like her very own children: Lt. Col. James M. Liepman, Retired (Maggie), Mark Liepman (Virginia), Mary Harmon, Barbara Butschek (Mark), Margaret Dresher (Colin), John Liepman, Clay H. Bourbonnais (Marnie), Dee Liepman (widow of C.J.), Rusty Harrell (Marcia) and John Harrell (Pat). She was the grandmother of Justin Liepman, Thomas Liepman, Wendy Miller, Joseph Liepman, Lindsay Liepman, Alexander Liepman, Katherine Liepman, Rebecca Liepman, Elizabeth Johnson, Michelle Long, Chelsea Butschek, Celia Calvin, Colby Dresher, Sr. Airman Clayton Dresher, Caly Bourbonnais, Frank Harrell, Travis Harrell, Ryan Harrell, Shoshanna Wright and Danielle Flowers. She was so very proud to be the matriarch of this expansive family with its many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild: Courtland Miller, Micah Spinetto, Sawyer Spinetto, Luke Spinetto, and Grace Spinetto, James Deskins, Henry Deskins, and Catherine Johnson, Christina Spencer, Haylie Spencer, James Castillo, and Violet Perez, Karson Schaffer, Cannon Calvin, and Conleigh Calvin, Camdyn Dresher, and Carly Piercy, McKenzie Flowers and Dakota Flowers, Shane Wright, Jacob Wright and Maece Wright, Coalten Harrell, Bretny Fawcett, Kayden Harrell and Kale Harrell. Rosary, 7 p.m., Thursday, January 9; Funeral Mass, 10 a.m., Friday, January 10, both at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 N. Socora in Wichita. The Graveside Service will follow at approximately 3 p.m., at St. Gregory Catholic Cemetery, N. 16th St. and Airport Access Road in Marysville, KS. A gathering will follow at the church hall of St Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 1310 Carolina St., Marysville, Kansas. Arrangements by Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.