Inge (Ingebord) Charlotte Grutzner Johnson

Inge Charlotte Grutzner Johnson, known for her vibrant spirit and boundless curiosity, peacefully departed this world on August 2, 2026, at the age of 95. Her journey began in Silesia, Germany, born to Ernst and Anastasia Romanov Grutzner on February 12, 1931. Inge’s life was a testament to resilience, adventure, and the power of human connection. Inge married her son's (Ferid) father Abdelaziz Chaouachi in 1959. Later in 1968 she married Carlos Rafael Johnson in National City, San Diego County, California. Inge completed her early education in Germany, leaving school after the eighth grade. Her youthful years were marked by a tenacious spirit as she embarked on a career in housekeeping, a path that led her from Switzerland to England, Paris, and Normandy. Her journey brought her across the Atlantic, where she served as a housekeeper for Mr. & Mrs. W. Clement Stone in Chicago and later for Governor & Mrs. LeVander at the Minnesota Governor's mansion. Her journey continued as she devoted over two decades as a cook at St. Joe's Hospital in downtown St. Paul, with her unwavering commitment evidenced by her early and late bus rides to the hospital. Later, she joined Concordia College in St. Paul, working into her 90s. Inge was known for her determination, never learning to drive but instead relying on her trusty bicycle (she called her mule), electric scooter or the metro bus to navigate the city. She often rode north to Roseville to meet friends for weekly tennis matches and traveled south to St. Peter for tennis tournaments. As as lifelong catholic, Inge found solace and community at the St. Paul Cathedral, St. Luke's Catholic Church and with her co-workers at Concordia College. Her faith was a guiding light throughout her life, as was her love for tennis and travel. Inge's travels took her to breathtaking destinations such as Hawaii, Mexico, Spain, Canary Islands, Fuji, and Israel, each journey reflecting her zest for life and her desire to explore the world. Inge's openness touched everyone she met. She was known for her lively conversations and her willingness to ask for a ride to church or back home. She lived in the same apartment at Skyline Towers in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul since it was built until 2023. She was a familiar face on her daily walks to Target, with many residents of the building and engaging with employees and strangers alike over coffee. Inge was predeceased by her brother, Gerhard Grutzner, and her sister, Ilsa Anna Grutzner Bateman. Her sister, Maggie (Magdalena) Erica Grutzner Neuman, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota survives her. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank-you to her co-workers at Concordia College who maintained their friendships with Inge even after she moved to senior living, and to the dedicated staff at White Pines Memory Care in Cottage Grove for their compassionate care over nearly three years. A private ceremony will be held to celebrate her life, honoring the incredible journey of a woman from Germany to the United States and many places in between.