Ingeborg Himmel

Ingeborg Bauer Himmel, “Inge”, 88, of Morton Grove, passed away peacefully June 1, 2025. Born September 16, 1936 in Munich Germany, the second of five children raised by a single mother: Anni, Erika, Martin, and Marille. Inge was three years of age when the war began and nine when it ended. When she was five the nazis took her mother because she was suspected of helping the Jews, which left her four siblings, all under the age of ten, to fend for themselves. During this time in war-ravaged Munich it took days to dig out a tunnel to the surface after the bombings. Starving and begging for food from neighbors, with nothing but rubble and piles of dead bodies. When the day came that neighbors didn’t even have a spare potato for them, the authorities stepped in. The police took them to separate orphanages, as there were so many children in the same circumstance, designated by age. It was in that orphanage that Inge contracted scarlet fever, which plagued her with health problems for her entire life. When the war ended, her mother walked to each of the four orphanages to collect her children. At age fourteen, Inge got her first job and moved out on her own. At seventeen she met Erich Himmel at the Donisl in Munich at a dance. Although he could not dance, she taught him the Jitterbug, and they fell in love. Inge wanted desperately to be married to Erich but he wanted to wait. She got an opportunity to work in Canada as an au pair, and gave an ultimatum: “Marry me now, or I’m going.” So off she went. After six weeks he sold the only thing he had to his name: a Vespa to buy and send her a ticket to come back. Within a year they married at the Ramasdorfer, Kirche. Their first year of marriage, they slept in the same bed as Erich’s mother, because there was nothing but rubble, with no apartments to be had. In 1958 they left Germany for the promised land of opportunity (USA) or in German das land der unbegrentzden moeglichkeiten. At that time, when entering the United States, people signed a document stating that if needed you would have to serve in the U.S. Army. The couple came in through Ellis Island speaking a handful of English words, one trunk, and $110 to their name. The trunk wasn’t allowed on the streetcar so they were forced leave it at the dock for a day until they could go back to collect it. They were charged $100.00. With no choice, because that was all they had, they were left with $10 to their name. The couple traveled to Berlin, New Hampshire, where Inge’s sister had just moved as a newlywed to an American serviceman. That first year they lived in a one-room trailer with their in-laws and newborn baby girl Janet. It took almost two years to make enough money to get to Chicago, where Erich had a job opportunity with Volkswagen. It was almost another year before they finally had a little furniture, and then the letter came announcing that Erich was drafted into the American army to serve in an American uniform during the construction of the Berlin wall by Soviets. With that beginning, it is not difficult to understand why Inge was a little tough. She would give the shirt off her back if you needed it, but she would make you work for it. She was person of integrity, never told lies, and held people to that same standard. She taught her daughters to help those in need and never wavered. Thanks to Inge the girls were raised to speak two languages fluently… moving back and forth to Germany three times. When they were in Germany, they spoke only English in the home. When they were in the states, they spoke only German. Inge raised her daughters with tough standards, wanting for them only better cards than she was dealt. She taught them to be tough, strong, and brutally honest. Of course, once she had her grandchildren everything changed. Erich the first (her “bubba”), Michelle, and Ashley could do no wrong. She could not be more proud of them. Her first great-grandson, Parker was followed by Hudson (thanks to Esther, their wonderful mother). They changed everyone’s lives and gave Omi and Opi a whole other purpose in life. Inge was aware of a third great-grandchild, about to be born to Michelle and J.J.. She was thrilled that it will be a little girl. Inge’s life was never the same without her beloved husband. She longed to be with him in heaven, where we know he is. Mom, thank you for everything ….you dance that jitterbug with dad…and let him carry your purse again. We will always love you and your memory will forever be in our hearts and souls. We will see you in heaven. Inge is survived by her two daughters Diana (Jerry) and Carol; her three grandchildren Erich (Esther), Michelle (J.J.), and Ashley; and her three great-grand-children Parker, Hudson, and (almost!) “Baby J”…..Omi, we will love you forever. Visitation 4-9pm, Monday, June 9, Queen of Angels church at Queen of Apostles Parish, 2330 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60625. Mass 10am Tuesday June 10 at church followed by entombment at Rosehill Cemetery. Livestream the funeral and cemetery events here: https://www.asimplestreaming.com/ihimmel Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-318-1305 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.

Ingeborg Himmel

September 16, 1936 - June 1, 2025