Carol Ann Johnson

Carol Ann Johnson, age 82, of Greenwood, Indiana passed away on October 27, 2026. Carol was born on May 11, 1944, in Floyds Knobs, Indiana to Bernard Koetter and Catherine Trindeitmar.

One of nine children, Carol grew up in the farmlands of the Knobs where faith, togetherness, and hard work were their foundation for everything. She attended St. Mary’s of the Knobs Catholic School and Our Lady of Providence High School. Upon graduation, Carol moved to Beech Grove, Indiana where she joined the Sisters of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery and completed her undergraduate education and faith formation as a nun. During this time, Carol was also an elementary educator and principal at Assumption and St. Pius X parishes.

In 1973, Carol married her forever love, Edward L. Johnson, Jr. of Indianapolis, Indiana and so began their beautiful life together with the additions of their four children, Eric, Sarah, Jeff, and Emily.  While faith was always at their core, Ed and Carol also provided a home filled with acceptance, love, learning, and joy. A lifelong caregiver, she was present, nurturing, and loving to all those around her, especially her children. Family was everything to Carol. Ed, Eric, Sarah, Jeff, and Emily were her whole world but perhaps her most joyful role in life was being grandmother to Annie, Leo, Graham, Poppy, and Jameson. She brought such a gentle, safe, and playful affection to her grandchildren that was unmatched. To her children and grandchildren, Carol was magic.

In her professional life, Carol continued her career as a kindergarten teacher for a decade, she worked in administration for Indianapolis Public Schools, and she was a program instructor and promotional specialist for educational learning at WFYI. Education and educational access and inclusivity were extremely important to Carol.

Additionally, Carol was an incredibly empathetic and giving individual who was immensely involved in her church community as a steward of faith for many, and for decades, she helped the homeless and worked at food pantries in Indianapolis. Giving back to the community and treating all people with dignity and respect were of the utmost importance to Carol. Her faith fostered many of her friendships, drove her philanthropy, and provided a purpose and devotion that saw no bounds.

To many, Carol was pure sunshine – bringing a bright smile and a quiet joy to every room she entered. Not only did she radiate sunshine, Carol loved to be outdoors in the sun taking care of her garden at home. Her presence and friendship was such a gift to so many.

Heartbreaking and beautifully poetic, Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Ed just six weeks prior to her own. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Catherine Koetter, her brother, Msgr. Paul Koetter, and sister-in-law, Teresa Lally Koetter. She is survived by her children, Fr. Eric Johnson, Sarah Johnson (Eliane), Jeff Johnson (Sarah), and Emily Hatch (Ryan); grandchildren, Annie, Leo, Graham, Poppy, and Jameson; sister, Sr. Mary Ann Koetter, brothers, Ted (Leigh), Ron (Charlotte), Joe (Linda), Steve (Donna), Kevin (Janet), and Bernie (Jeri); and numerous in-law siblings and nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Carol will be Wednesday, November 4, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at O’ Riley – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227.  A vigil and a time of remembrance will be from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 10:30 am at St. Barnabas Catholic Church at 8300 Rahke Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46217, followed by a funeral luncheon.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery at 2:00 pm.

In Memory of Carol, memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana.   https://www.benedictine.com/donate