Barbara Born Limke

Barbara B. Limke of Cincinnati, OH died on April 1, 2022 at the age of 90.  She was a resident of Twin Towers Senior Living Community in College Hill for 16 years.

Barbara and her devoted husband, George H. Limke, were married for nearly 48 years until his death in 2001. Barbara is survived by their five children:  Mary Kay (Ted) Riestenberg, Mark (Sue) Limke, Michael (Sue) Limke, Dr. Janet Limke, (Rob Scott), and Alan Limke; nine grandchildren:  Greg Riestenberg (Susan Pavlovsy), Kate Riestenberg (Tom Grahsler), Max Riestenberg, Andrew (Andrea) Limke, Sarah (Tyler) Gangwer, Brian (Casey) Limke, Beth Limke, Zuben Scott (Natalie Allen) and Deneb Scott; and five great-grandchildren.

As the daughter of Clifford and Catherine (Schrohenloher) Born, Barbara was the oldest of nine, followed by the late Clifford (Becky) Born, Gilbert (Carol) Born, the late Lori (and Jim) Schwartz, Janet Born OSF, Rick Born, Nancy (Hank) Koch, Gerry (Kathy) Born, and Gene (Maureen) Born.

Barbara had a loving heart, strong spirit, and a modern, independent streak. She was known for her arresting smile, her eye for glamour, and her beguiling personality. At Our Lady of Angels High School she became the student leader of the orchestra and the math club. She then attended Edgecliff College. The long walk up the steps to the college for a person with asthma was one reason her academic pursuits ended after a year.

It was an older brother to her lifelong friend Helen Limke who became Barbara’s husband in May 1953. Since Barbara had helped raise her younger siblings, including twin boys Gerry and Gene, she was well-equipped with skills for baby care when she and George were surprised with their own set of twin boys, Mark and Michael, born when their first child, Mary Kay, was only 18 months old.

While raising five children, Barbara managed to hold down various jobs, including seasonal work at the IRS, executive secretary in a medical office, registrar in an emergency room, and administrative work at the senior facility Franciscan Terrace (St. Clare Center). In the midst of all this, Barbara, a nonsmoker, was diagnosed with oral cancer and had numerous recurrences. Eventually the cancer went into remission and never returned. Barbara became a valued member of St. Bernard Church, where she and her friend Jenny Stenton spent many volunteer hours gardening on the church grounds.

At Twin Towers, Barbara especially enjoyed conversing with the staff. Over the years Barbara began to require more care, but she never complained about that. As a resident of the Health Care unit for six years, she would voice her opinions bluntly (but often inappropriately). But in the positive atmosphere of the HC unit and Twin Towers overall, Barbara found a contentment with herself that had been missing. She came into her own with a quick-witted sense of humor, and as a former choir member, she was known for spontaneously breaking out in song, which staff and other residents usually found entertaining.

All are invited to celebrate Barbara’s life on Friday April 22 at St. Bernard Church in Spring Grove Village (formerly Winton Place), 735 Derby Ave, Cincinnati 45232. Visitation 10:00-11:00am. Memorial Mass at 11:00am, followed by lunch in the Shappelle Center (church annex). Masks are highly recommended in the church and will be provided. Guests are most welcome to attend the lunch reception, with or without attending Mass.

Interment will be on Saturday April 23, 10:00am at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Donations of remembrance may be sent to LEC Foundation, Twin Towers Benevolent Care Fund, 5343 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45224   https://lec.org/foundations/donate/general-donation/  or to Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, PO Box 100, Oldenburg, IN 47036 https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/SistersofStFrancisOldenb/OnlineGiving.html