Sophie Marie Vetter, age 88, of Manitowoc, passed away Friday afternoon, August 31, 2018 at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, Manitowoc after a short illness.
Sophie was born on January 7, 1930, in the Town of Cato, daughter of the late Henry and Ruth (Madson) Vetter. She attended local area schools and graduated with the class of 1948 from Manitowoc Lincoln High School. After high school Sophie attended Manitowoc County Normal School in Manitowoc, and earned a teaching certificate. She began her teaching career in a succession of one-room schoolhouses in 1951. Sophie completed undergraduate and Master’s Degree in education at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, and spent the remainder of her career teaching children with special needs at Adams and Riverview Schools in Manitowoc. She was a member of First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc for over 67 years, serving as a Sunday School Teacher for 43 years and enjoyed many years working with ladies of the church making quilts for those in need. Sophie maintained the family farm, keeping sheep and chickens for many years. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, spending time with friends, family, and treasured the unconditional love of her pet dogs, especially Reggie.
Sophie is survived by her brother-in-law: George Mazanec, Manitowoc; four nieces and nephews: Jeff (Debbi) Mazanec, Appleton; Debbie Leoni, Jackson, MO; Robert Mazanec, Manitowoc; Patricia Mazanec, Belvidere, IL; several grand nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents: Henry and Ruth Vetter; one sister, Hildegarde Mazanec.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at First Lutheran Church, 521 North 8th Street, Manitowoc. The Rev. Howard Batt will officiate with burial to follow at Knollwood Memorial Gardens. Relatives and friends may call on Saturday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. The Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home of Manitowoc assisted the family with funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Lakeshore Humane Society. Due to other events taking place on Saturday, visitors will enter and exit the church parking lot from the south driveway approach at North 8th and State St. Online condolences may be expressed at www.jensreinboldandpfeffer.com
Sophie’s family wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation to the care and nursing staff of Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, and especially River’s Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center for their years of compassionate care and service.
