Sophia Godbout

Godbout, Sophia E.
March 16, 1922 - March 17, 2012
The Butterfly Lady
Surrounded by her loving family, Sophia fell asleep in the arms for her Lord one day after her 90th birthday. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Medric F. Godbout. Sophia is survived by her loving daughters, Yvonne Ermirio (Carlo "Tony") of Port Charlotte, FL; Cheryl Godbout Bandal of Mahtomedi and Renee Godbout (Steve Zigan) of Lake St. Croix Beach. Also survived by 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson, sisters Dorothy Boehm of Seattle, WA , Camillus Mueller of Milbank, SD. and stepson Medric C. Godbout; numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends. She was truly loved by all who knew her. She was born on a farm near Iona, MN on March 16, 1922. Her family moved to Corona, SD when she was 8 years old. She moved to St. Paul to work for NW Airlines during World War II where she met Medric, they married in 1944. Together they owned Master Level Controls. She lived in the Midway for 62 years before moving in 2010 to St. Andrew's Village in Mahtomedi. She was always active in the lives of her daughters, her church and her community, winning volunteer recognition from numerous organizations including the St. Paul Council of Camp Fire Girls, Quota International, Lutheran Chaplaincy Auxiliary. She presided over PTAs, Audubon Society, Quota, and served on countless committees and served on boards of several corporations. Beginning in the 60's she and Med provided a home for numerous unwed mothers through Lutheran Social Services. In 1965 she became a Research Associate with the University of Toronto Insect Migration Studies and began tagging Monarch butterflies. 9 years later the sites in Mexico would be found. She traveled twice to visit the Monarch wintering sites in Michoacan, Mexico. She passed on her love of nature to her children and grandchildren. In 1976 she was named the Minnesota's First Merit Mother of the Year by the Minnesota Mothers' Association. Brownsville, TX was their winter home for 28 years where she was President and for years served on the board of the homeowner's assn., served as a docent at Sable Palm Grove Audubon Sanctuary. An avid and accomplished golfer, she would not give up her clubs always dreaming that she would get to play one more round.
A very special thanks and tribute to her granddaughter Renee (RN) who stayed by her Grandma's side 24/7 for 2 weeks, assisting her on this journey and to Mary Beth, her hospice nurse from Optage Hospice Services.
Celebration of Sophia's life will be at 1pm on Saturday, April 7th at the Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd. in Stillwater, MN 55082 In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.