Inge Erna Culberson, 91, of Valparaiso passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 23, 2026. She was born November 30, 1934, in Frankfurt, Germany to Willy & Else (Rothenbucher) Kluber. At age 17 she was asked to go on her very first date by a handsome U.S. Airman named Willie Culberson who would become her cherished husband for the next 75 years. Her naturally charming personality combined with great cooking and a legendary German potato salad recipe may have contributed to the longevity of their marriage.
Inge worked at the finest clothing store in Frankfurt, which led to her good taste in fashion and love of dressing to the 9’s. Arriving in the U.S. they lived with loving inlaws in Alabama, where she learned English, adding a slight southern twist to her German accent which kept people guessing as to her birthplace.
Moving to NWI when Aetna was a brand new neighborhood built in sand dunes, she started her lifetime of volunteering focused around her children's lives, as a classroom mother and PTA board member, treasurer for Aetna community club and ran concessions for the Aetna little league. Here, she was a member of Aetna Baptist church. Always interested in beauty, she became a cosmetologist and worked at the beauty counter of Miller drugs. This led to joining the Miller Presbyterian church.
Continuing the theme of volunteerism when moving to Valparaiso, she became an early board member of Welcome wagon (now Friends and newcomers). Over 50 years living in Valpo, she and her husband volunteered at the Valpo Red Cross and Cancer society. Many people knew her from giving her time running shifts at the old Porter hospital gift shop downtown. As a long time member of Valpo First Presbyterian church she volunteered for several decades at the Presbyterian resale shop on Lincolnway. Everywhere she went, people knew her.
During these years, Inge also raised 2 of her grandchildren and helped her younger daughter with the other 4 due to her eldest daughter's untimely death. Above all, she loved and supported her grandkids. She was a familiar face at every basketball, track, girl and boy scout function, art, choir, musical performance, cheerleading, ballet, gymnastics and all endeavors of her most loved and cherished grandkids.
Survivors include her husband, Willie Culberson, daughter, Carol (Ken) Sibbrell of Valparaiso, six grandchildren: Cliff Little(Yaritza), Brandon(Amber), Aaron (Natalie) and Chris (Paola) Thomas, Colette Nicole, and Blaire Morel and 3 via marriage:Rocky (Emily), Jake (Jenny) and Tara (Tom) Sibbrell. 11 Great-grandchildren: Kayla Soto, Tanaji Saunders, Brandon Thomas Jr, Charles White , Alijah Williams, beloved cat Charlie, Caleah Thomas, Xander Brown, Eve, Hailey and Reid Sibbrell , Renee McLain and one great-great granddaughter, Nevaeh Andrade. Inge, an only child, was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Linda Thomas.
To honor Inge's life, please consider volunteering an hour, a day, a weekly time slot for a local charity or donating to a charity of your choice. She loved the life changing medical help of Mercy ships who serve the poorest of poor.
Following cremation at Angelcrest Crematory a private family gathering and celebration of Inge’s life will be held at a later date TBA.
GUESTBOOK
Mr. Culberson, Carol, and family, dear neighbors! Please accept my condolences at the passing of your mom. My earliest memories are living next door to your family and Aetna. Singing Beatles songs into a tape recorder with Linda. Your Dad had a green thumb, I remember the garden. Your mom always seemed exotic to me, with her accent. I remember your Aunts T-Bird too! May the love of family and friends surround you. -Jennifer Festa
Mrs. Culberson was truly an amazing force of nature. She had a remarkable ability to make the people around her feel welcomed, valued and cared about. Mrs. Culberson consistently treated me and my family as a part of her very own family. I will always be thankful for the kindness, effort, and love she showed me. Mrs. Culberson, you were loved and will be deeply missed. My thoughts and my heart are with Mr. Culberson and the entire family during this difficult time. -Russell Richardson
When I think of Inge, I automatically think of kindness and compassion. Many pleasant words may be used in describing someone so wonderful, but those two fit her best! She was beyond generous and sweet to everyone around her and she had a gift for making everyone in her life feel respected and appreciated. Though she was not my grandmother by blood; she was most definitely my grandmother at heart. Remembering her the rest of my life will be easy to do. She affected everyone positively and irrevocably! Her life on Earth may have ended but the way she impacted her loved ones will remain alive. Condolences to Carol, Willie, and the rest of the family. She lived a long, great, life and we all know she made it to Heaven: but I also know that doesn’t take away from the grief of missing her presence. -Jenny Sibbrell
I am Blaire Morel her youngest granddaughter from her eldest daughter Linda Thomas. I have such beautiful memories of my gma playing card games with me and letting me try coffee (when my mom was like don’t give her that she’s too young). I have memories of helping her every year with her garage sale listening to music. We always reminisced on our memories of her daughter, my mother who we missed dearly after she passed watching the Disney movie Anastasia keeping her alive! She was such a light in this world, a fashionista and a diva in the best way! May she rest in peace and save a spot for me in the future next to her and my mommy! Her memory will live on and know I love you gma to the moon and back. -Blaire Morel
What a wonderful neighbor to have in Aetna! My thoughts and prayers are with you all! -Nanette Festa Wargo
Grandma, I just wanted to say I love you very much and am grateful for the 36 years you were in my life. I will never forget the loving, supportive strong woman you were. I’m also grateful Paola and Caleah was able to know you even if it was only for 5 and 3 years I have photos that will keep your memory alive forever. Sometimes I wish I had lived a bit closer since joining the Navy to have gotten to see you all a bit more but I know you always encouraged me to live my life and wished me well so I appreciate that. I’m grateful you’re not suffering anymore. Rest in peace and say hello to our mother and the rest of our ancestors. Share some ambrosia, deviled eggs and German potato salad. -Christopher Thomas
I love and miss you grandma. I wish I had gotten an opportunity to make it clear to you that I noticed your sacrifices and impact, and how grateful I am. I will always admire how honest and sincere you could be in any room. So glad you’re at ease now. -Aaron Thomas
As a young girl, I studied you with confusion and sometimes frustration, not fully understanding the many roles you played. Despite my youthful naivety, you welcomed clarifying conversations later in life that were rich in meaning and depth. I will hold these memories dear. The strength you carried while facing a multitude of challenges in your life somehow never hardened your spirit. Managing the everyday demands required a delicate dance between firmness and understanding that you gracefully mastered. You had a zest for life, filling your days with delicious meals, bingo nights, musicals, shopping and countless moments of joy! A social butterfly always on the move! Though, most notably was your giving heart. Your genuine desire to help the community around you touched everyone you encountered. You were a profound representation of the boldness and beauty of womanhood. Your wisdom resonates in all the decisions I make and I proudly wear our commonalities as a badge of honor. I am forever in awe of you. Words will never do you justice, Oma. I love you in this lifetime and the next. Say hello to Mama and keeping shining your light! -Colette Nicole
So sorry we have lost our Kingsridge former neighbor Inge... Please accept my condolences...She was a force and we shared many garage sale stories!! I always recall her calling out for CLIFFIE.. Such devotion to the family!! Peace... -Mary Ann Claesgens
Sorry to hear about Inge but I'm happy I got to see and talk to her at the Avolon this year. -Mary Lou DeVoss
