Sophie D. (Biedrzycki) Gottemoller

Sophie Dolores Gottemoller, 92, of Rising Sun, MD passed away peacefully Sunday, December 10, 2023 at home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Chicago, IL on June 25, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Paul Biedrzycki and Martha (Steinert) Biedrzycki. She was the beloved wife of the late John “Jack” Victor Gottemoller. She was also preceded in death by her brother Casimir Bied.

After receiving her degree from Rosary College in Chicago, Sophie was a teacher in Wisconsin until her marriage to Jack. After several moves, they settled in Elkton, Maryland. First and foremost, Sophie was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Her love was boundless as the family grew to include her children’s spouses and grandchildren.

Sophie continued her working career as a substitute teacher in the Cecil County Public Schools until joining Padua Academy full time as a Home Economics teacher. For 17 years, she lovingly taught cooking and life skills classes.  Not only was she a teacher to her students, but to some, she was their mentor, advocate, and substitute mom.

Sophie was a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Church since 1959. She volunteered countless hours at ICC throughout those 64 years: running the children’s religious education program, visiting the sick and home bound to carry the Eucharist to them, using her talents on ICC’s Arts and Environment Committee, and helping at Christmas bazaars and bake sales. Jack and Sophie also spent many hours working to upkeep the flower gardens at the church, especially the garden with the statue of Mary of whom they had a deep devotion.

Sophie enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends. She was an amazing cook and would cook just as well for a group of 20 as for 2. Every year mom and dad would host a crab and beer feast in August where their love of family brought everyone together as a whole at least once a year. She enjoyed knitting and sewing and belonged to many different clubs. She was an avid reader, as well as a history and political buff. Researching genealogy on both sides of the family was her specialty. Along with her many interests, she still found time to help her daughter, Paula at her flower shop, North East Florist, where she worked at the counter talking to and helping many customers. Sophie was a social butterfly.

Sophie is survived by her 7 loving children, Thomas V. Gottemoller (Barbara) of Corpus Christi, TX, Mary Fortunato (Howard) of Wilmington, DE, Paula Rakes (Earl) of Rising Sun, MD, Cathie Abraham (Anil) of Orlando, FL, Peter Gottemoller (Kelli) of Glenside, PA, Margaret Brewer (Dale) of Wilmington, DE and Eydie Triplett (Jim) of Midlothian, VA; 13 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren, and her sister-in-laws Maribeth Tomaso of Elk Grove, IL, Vicki Bied of Orlando, FL, and Laura Gottemoller of Streator, IL.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Crouch Funeral Home, P.A., 127 South Main Street, North East, Md and again on Saturday, December 16, 2023 beginning at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 454 Bow Street, Elkton, MD with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am.

Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Cherry Hill, Elkton, MD.

Flowers are welcome or contributions may be made to Mt. Aviat School or Immaculate Conception Church Outreach, both in care of the funeral home.