Gottfried Schuetz

Gottfried A. "Godie" Schuetz passed away peacefully at his sister Martha's home in Taos, NM on June 30, 2008. He was born in Lucern Switzerland on September 27, 1920 to Gottfried A. Schuetz, Sr. and Helena Schuetz.

His mother and sister immigrated to the U.S.A. in 1946, and two years later he joined and reunited with his family in New Glarus, Wisconsin where Gottfried, Sr. owned and operated a cheese factory. The reunion was a special occasion. Godie's mother and sister, Martha, also operated a restaurant in New Glarus, Wisconsin, where Godie became a helping hand.

During World War II, Godie served as a lieutenant in the Swiss Mountain Patrol Division. Prior to the war, he attended the University in Zurich, Switzerland, and Stockholm, Sweden. He studied public relations, social studies, and economics. His love for the outdoors led him to Lake Tahoe, California, where he fulfilled his dream to be a ski instructor, and then followed his career in Utah, Colorado, and finally in New Mexico.

Ernie Blake, owner of Taos Ski Valley, offered him the prestigious position as a ski instructor, which lasted more that 35 years. Godie owned and operated the famous Casa Cordova Restaurant for 26 years in Arroyo Seco, NM. He was a perfect host, proud of his staff, and also gave a helping hand, if needed. He had a great ability to entertain people, such as yodeling, singing, and foremost for telling great stories about fishing and hunting. He had a great sense of humor.

His Swiss tradition never left his heart, he always loved his old country, especially the likes of music, food, cheese fondue, and mountains. In his youthful days, climbing was also a passion, and he conquered the great Matterhorn several times. His love for nature took him many wandering hours through the woods, in search of wild mushrooms so he could share his finding with his friends. For the past 10 years, he introduced and took pride preparing Swiss cheese fondue at the Bavarian Lodge in Taos Ski Valley, where the cliental enjoyed in partaking with song and yodeling. Trading Post Café and Down Town Bistro in Taos always greeted him with open arms, made him feel at home, conversed with the owners, Renee Mettler and Marco Barbitta in his native language. Life for Godie was a happy and fulfilling journey.

Godie's generosity was well known among his friends and strangers. He was a member of the Lions Club, and served a short period of time on the Planning and Zoning Commission of Taos. He was fortunate to be blessed by God with good health and many friends, always doing what he wanted and enjoying his family and friends.

Godie is preceded in death by his parents, Gottfried, Sr. and Helena Schuetz. He is survived by his sister, Martha Schuetz of Taos, NM; stepson, Michael Gammon Schuetz, of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughter, Heather Schuetz of Reno, Nevada; numerous relatives in Switzerland; and loyal and devoted friends in this country. He will be missed dearly for his great smile and twinkling blue eyes and great heart.

Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 11 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, in Taos, NM.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Child Rite, Inc., P.O. Box 1448, Taos, NM 87571 or Mountain Home Health Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 2566, Taos, NM 87571.