Emmi Lenhardt, co-founder with her husband, Anton, of Lenhardt's Restaurant in Clifton Heights, died of heart failure Nov. 26 in Ormond Beach, Fla., where she had lived since 1978. She was 80.

        Lenhardt's, founded in 1955 and known for its schnitzel, was a favorite Cincinnati eatery for more than 40 years. After the Lenhardts retired in 1978, ownership passed to their daughter, Erika Windholtz and her husband, Joe, who ran it until they retired last year.

        Born in Yugoslavia, Mrs. Lenhardt and her husband came to Cincinnati with their children in 1953 to escape Communism. Two years later they opened the restaurant in a mansion that had been a wedding gift from beer baron Christian Moerlein to his daughter. Last year the restaurant was closed for remodeling and reopened as Lenhardt's & Christy's, named after the Lenhardts' granddaughter, Christy Windholtz, the third generation to run the business.

        Mrs. Lenhardt enjoyed her retirement, going on cruises and visiting Europe with her husband, who died in 1998.

        She was a member of Elks Supreme Emblem club and the Florida Federation Garden Club.

        In addition to her granddaughter, survivors include two daughters, Erika Windholtz of Clifton Heights and Christina Klotz of Ferndale, N.Y.; a sister, Nina Guttchen of Daytona Beach, Fla.; three other grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

        Services have been held. Burial was in Ormond Beach.

        Memorials: the Donauschwaben Society of Cincinnati, 4290 Dry Ridge Road, Cincinnati 45252, or Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Road, Cincinnati 45242.

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