Community says goodbye to Sen. Rick Gudex
EDEN - The absence of the sun reflected the mood of the hundreds who filed into Shepherd of the Hills Catholic Parish Monday afternoon to say goodbye to state Sen. Rick Gudex.
Sen. Rick Gudex, 48, died Oct. 12 of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Fond du Lac Sheriff's Office. Authorities continue to investigate the incident. In a statement released over the weekend, Gudex's family said he suffered from "an overwhelming depression and hopelessness that he kept to himself."
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The line to offer condolences to Gudex's wife, Kim, and children Jayce and Alexana, along with other family members, snaked between pews and along the walls of the church. Outside in the lobby, four boards were filled with pictures of Gudex with his children, other family members and from his life as a politician, including a few pictures with Gov. Scott Walker.
The room went silent as the line dwindled and the open casket was brought out into the lobby for family members to say their last goodbyes. Extra chairs were brought in to seat those who were standing.
Before the casket was brought back in, a recording of Sen. Gudex played over the speakers. He talked of his friendship with many Democratic senators despite being on opposite sides of many issues and the bills he passed while in the legislature. After the recording stopped, Knights of Columbus members carried in the casket while family members followed behind and the crowd, which included state Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt, R-Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac City Council President Lee Ann Lorrigan and Fond du Lac Fire Chief Peter O'Leary, sang "Amazing Grace."
No family members or friends of Gudex spoke on his behalf, but the pastor of Shepherd of the Hills, Fr. Mark Jones, focused on the way Gudex lived his life, with love and respect for everyone.
"He lived out his love for God by his love for all of you and his love for all those put in his care," Jones said.
Jones spoke of the first time he met with the family following Gudex's death, explaining to those in attendance all of the unanswered questions that come with losing someone who took his or her own life. Jones stressed the decision of Gudex to take his own life was not one made out of anger or resentment, but was one made because his "mind broke."
Jones got a laugh out of the audience when he shared how Gudex often invited different members of the Senate to barbecue outside of his office at the Capitol. "We need more politicians like (Gudex)," Jones said Monday. "(We need those) who work for the good of others and sees the best in everyone, not just himself."
At the end of mass, Gudex's mother and father, Don and Diane, requested "Jealous of the Angels" by Jenn Bostic be played over the speakers in honor of their son. Family members as well as members in the crowd wiped away tears as the song played.
"The hugs he gave, the kisses he shared, the strength he gave to all of you is what we need to remember," Jones said.
Reach Madeline Zukowski at 920-907-7968 or mzukowski@gannett.com; on Twitter: @madszuko.