The End of an Era

Mrs. Helen K. Limbacher, High School Librarian and English teacher of Farragut Community School, passed away Sunday, July 31, 1988 while visiting family in Louisiana.  Mrs. Limbacher had been an almost constant fixture in the halls of the high school.  She patrolled the halls with her 12oz. bottle of coke looking for infringers of her overdue book law.  She kept those students in line who were inexperienced in the ways of proper behavior.  A frequent tap on the head signified a very overdue book or assignment.  Our school will miss Mrs. Limbacher and her ever present Coca Cola Bottle Collection.  

“ECHOES IN THE HALL”

“You have a library book overdue,” the familiar sound would ring in the hall.
The culprit did not have to look who made the call.  Her library was always in definite order, each book in perfect file.  Her love of literature and the knowledge it contains made her work worthwhile.

For 32 years she patrolled the corridors of Farragut with an iron hand.
“No canoodling in the halls,” was another way she took a stand.  The students
would stop hand-holding, snuggling, or whatever as Mrs. Limbacher passed their lockers, then they would return to the endeavor.

This teacher did not allow slouching, grape-flavored gum, or gum popping of any kind.  With a reminder, the students would throw out the gum or stand-up straight – for her they would mind.  She felt it her designated duty to keep everyone at FHS in line.  There was no question that Mrs. Limbacher carried out her job just fine.

Trying to teach English, composition, and literature could really be a chore.  As we look back today, we realize she taught us much, much more. 

“Galloping Senility” was her excuse for forgetting something these past years.  She said it jokingly, but it may have been one of her greatest fears.

Among other duties, she directed plays and chaperoned the girls’ basketball teams.  She worked with the kids, giving them her best, helping them fulfill their dreams.  She cared about each student deeply and her gruffness was only a façade.  The results she got could only make most parents stand up and applaud.

Through the years she organized the seniors on graduation day.  Scrunching all caps to fit just right and insisted they stay that way.  She was matriarch of the Farragut School, both in wisdom and in age.  Many of her fellow teachers looked to her for advice, most considered her a sage.

She was tops in her field, a dedicated teacher, she didn’t let us down.  Hundreds of students were lucky her life’s path led this dear lady to our town.

She may be gone from our midst, but she would be the first to tell us not to cry; because her voice will always echo, in the halls of good old Farragut High.

     – by Linda Bonnes, August 4, 1988

She joined the Farragut faculty in 1956 and served the school district for 32 years.

The Farragut school library was named in memory of Helen Limbacher and the dedication was acknowledged by her granddaughter Erika Limbacher during her graduation in 1992.

Helen K. (Davis) Limbacher

Born:  March 6, 1919

Died:  July 31, 1988  ( age 69 )

Burial:  Lane Memorial Cemetery, Sibley, Webster Parish, Louisiana