Barbara Jean Gagel

Barbara Jean Gagel (nee Lehmenkuler), beloved wife, adoring mother and grandmother, selfless friend, passed away suddenly Feb. 8, 2020. She was 72.

Barb was born in Louisville, KY, the only child of Willis “Bugs” and Geri Lehmenkuler.

In a life story she wrote as a child, Barb shared a dream of becoming a structural engineer. Her journey took a different path while attending the University of Louisville. On a blind date, she met an engineering student named Chuck who would become the love of her life.

Barb and Chuck spent 49 years together, building a family that included their own children, grandchildren, and the hundreds of friends they made.

Barb never met a stranger, and lived her life making everyone she knew part of her family. Her Christmases were spent creating extravagant bows, dipping dozens of Oreo cookies in chocolate to give away as gifts, and preparing feasts for family and friends.

Barb’s free time was spent on the phone talking to her friends about their lives, and planning ways to make somebody’s special day more special. She was always the first person to arrive to help, and the last to leave to make sure everyone had the best time. No event was too small for Barb to transform into a wondrous occasion. When thanked for her efforts, she simply responded “Well you are family.”

An avid sports fan, Barb was a season ticket holder for the Louisville Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, and FC Cincinnati. But her favorite teams were the ones her children and grandchildren played for. “Grammy Barb” was a welcome cheerleader for four decades at area Catholic high schools, rooting not only for her kids and grandkids, but for their teammates. Barb passed away while cheering on her beloved Cardinals with Chuck.

Barb was a graduate of Assumption High School and the University of Louisville, a sister of Kappa Delta Sorority, a parishioner of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, and a patron of the Cincinnati Arts Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willis Joseph and Geraldine Lehmenkuler; and granddaughter, Gabriella Hope Gofney.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 49 years, Charles Thomas Gagel; daughters, Gina Michelle Kurtz (Michael) and Brittany Lauren Gofney (Chris); son, Zachary David Gagel (Jenny); grandchildren, Morgan, Alex, Maggie, Matthew, Juliana, Logan, Thomas and Landon; sister-in-law, Marsha (Bob); nephews Scott (Erin), Patrick (Amanda), and Drew (Emilee); and many extended family members and dear friends.

Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at Hodapp Funeral Home in West Chester, OH. Mass of Christian Burial is noon Friday, Feb. 14, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cincinnati, OH. Interment is in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be from 2-6 pm at the Quality Hotel & Conference Center Cincinnati Blue Ash in Cincinnati, OH.