Christel Leuker

Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Loyal Friend and Teacher

Our dear mother, Christel [Topp] Leuker, daughter of the late Bernhard and Elisabeth [Zurek] Topp, sister of the late Bernhard Topp and sister-in-law Eva [Blaschke] Topp sadly passed away July 11, 2023 at the age of 82. She left behind her loving husband, Theodore Leuker, daughter, Christine [John] Kemper, son, Markus [Leslie] Leuker along with eight grandchildren, Nicholas Kemper, Gabrielle Kemper, Bridget Kemper, Kirsten Kemper, Anne Leuker, Matthew Leuker, Jack Leuker, Katie Leuker and numerous nieces and nephews in the United States and Germany.

Christel was a dedicated wife to Theodore for 57 years. They married in 1965 in Soest, Germany following a courtship in Cincinnati after immigrating to the United States in 1964 and 1962, respectively. They chose to live and raise their family in Delhi where their faith grew at Our Lady of Victory Parish and Old St. Mary’s Church in Over-the-Rhine. As a member of the Catholic Kolping Society, Christel spent countless hours volunteering, attending dances, festivals and other events with her German family and friends. Raising her children and grandchildren was her passion along with her faith and general compassion and love for others.

Christel maintained her strong ties to her German heritage and her love for children by teaching German to Kindergarteners for 49 years at the Tri-State German-American School. Affectionately known as “Frau Leuker”, she has taught over a thousand students the foundations of the German language and culture.

In addition to teaching German, she has spent the last 22 years teaching, planning activities and playing games with the children of the Our Lady of Victory After School Program. Her dedication and love for the children of the program was evident to all around her. We were blessed to have such a great role model.

Visitation will be July 17 at Radel Funeral Home, 650 Neeb Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45238 from 9AM until 10:30AM. Kolping prayer to be held at 10:30AM. Funeral Mass to follow at Our Lady of Victory at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Catholic Kolping Society Father David Hiller Fund, Our Lady of Victory After School Program or Hospice of Cincinnati.