Paula Brigitte Herdtle

Paula Brigitte Herdtle (nee Wittkamp), age 88, of Long Grove, IL, passed away peacefully at her home in Long Grove on January 15, 2021. Paula was born and grew up on a farm in Capelle, Germany, and endured the hardships of the Second World War firsthand as a child. After the war, and experiencing the kindness of American soldiers who gave her bars of Hershey’s chocolate, she set her sights on the United States. She arrived in 1954, settled in Chicago and soon after married. She welcomed her only child, Deborah, into the world in 1959. Determined and self-reliant, she found work over the years as a receptionist at an orthodontist’s office and in the library at Maine South High School, where in 1978-1979 her German chocolate cakes powered the boys’ basketball team to 31 wins and a state title. In 1984, she married Helmut Herdtle, who survives her after 36 years of marriage. Affectionally known as “Mimi” by her grandchildren, Paula was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. The consummate host, she welcomed relatives and friends to stay with her in Bonita Springs, FL, where she spent her winters, and every year threw a spirited Fourth of July party. Her kindness, generosity and seemingly endless supply of gummy bears led countless kids growing up along Hilltop Road in Long Grove to view her as an adopted grandmother. Her humor, honesty and affection will be sorely missed by her many friends, and most especially by her husband, Helmut; sister, Christel; daughter, Deborah (Matthew) Hotle; granddaughter, Alicia (Dane) Hamman; grandson, Justin (Carolyn) Hotle; and great-grandchildren, Lucas, Lillian and Madelyn Hamman. She is also survived by many relatives in Germany whom she loved to visit and host in Florida. She was preceded in death by her father, B. Heinrich Wittkamp; mother, Antonia (nee Billerman); brothers, Heinrich and Anton; and sisters, Magda and Gertrud. Private funeral services will be held this week with a Celebration of Life to take place this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Lung Association appreciated: American Lung Association Headquarters 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601 1-800-LUNGUSA or 1-800-586-4872 Info@Lung.org For further info, call Matz Funeral Home in Mount Prospect, IL: 847-394-2336 or visit www.matzfuneralhome.com.

Paula Brigitte Herdtle

January 13, 1933 - January 15, 2021