Carmen J. Caudillo, age 83, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away at her home on Wednesday evening, September 30, 2009. She was a life long Wellington resident. She worked at Hatcher Hospital and St. Lukes Hospital and retired from the Wellington Hospital & Clinic as a nurse's aide.

Carmen J. (Gonzales) Caudillo was born on July 17, 1926 in Wellington, KS to Pedro J. Gonzales and Maria (Rauno) Gonzales.

She married Charlie Caudillo on July 4, 1942 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Wellington, KS. He preceded her in death on May 6, 2008.

She was a member of St. Anthony's/St. Rose Parish, the American Legion Auxiliary, V.F.W. Auxiliary, Council of Catholic Women, and the Wellington Hospital Retired Employees.

She enjoyed sewing, making wedding dresses and Halloween costumes, doing alterations, and helping repair flags for the Avenue of Flags. She loved doing various kinds of crafts, cooking and teaching her grandchildren how to make special dishes. Carmen, along with her husband Charlie, were some of the founders of St. Rose Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charlie; and several brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her two sons, Fernando M. Caudillo and his wife Sue of Wellington, KS and Jaime A. Caudillo and his wife Stephanie of Santa Clarita, CA; four daughters, Beatriz S. Caudillo-Soria of Castro Valley, CA, Maria D. Brand-Barker and her husband Gary of Wellington, KS, Yolanda Wilkerson and her husband Jerry of Wellington, KS, and Celestina "Tunie" Caudillo-Sparman and her husband Rick of Wellington, KS; two sisters, Amparo Sanchez of Santa Ana, CA and Anastacia Navertte of Los Angeles, CA; 20 grandchildren; and 28 great grandchildren.

A Vigil Service and Rosary will be held at St. Anthony/ St. Rose Catholic Church on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony's/St. Rose Catholic Church on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. Father Andrew Heiman will officiate. Interment will follow the service at Prairie Lawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 1:00 – 5:00 P.M. and on Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 1:00 – 5:00 P.M.

Memorials have been established with Hospice Care of Kansas, the Avenue of Flags, and the American Cancer Society. Contributions can be left or mailed to the funeral home.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.