Joan Engler Macalusa

Joan Engler Macalusa, a native of Carville, Louisiana, and a resident of Baton Rouge passed away on June 25, 2023 at the age of 85. She strived to always put her Creator and Family first in her life. Joan graduated from St. Gabriel High School, and married her high school sweetheart, Carroll Macalusa, in 1958. They were married for 58 years before he preceded her in death. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Sheri and Jeff Sims, Jill and Kenny Armstrong, Gail and Clint Patterson; seven granddaughters, Cori Hanson and husband Brian, Keri Buhring and husband Beau, Ashley Coleman and husband Andrew, Rachel Macmurdo and husband Bailey, Molly Armstrong, Courtney Patterson, Jenna Patterson; one grandson, Cole Patterson; two great-granddaughters, Jaime Hanson and Cora Buhring; and one great-grandson, Elijah Burhing. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddy Engler and Marguerite Martinez Duplessis; her husband, Carroll John Macalusa; and two grandchildren, Angel Dugas and Blaine Patterson. Services will be Friday, June 30, at St. George Catholic Church with visiting from 9:00 a.m. until a mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. There will be a rosary at 10:30 a.m. Pallbearers will be Jeff Sims, Beau Buhring, Ken Armstrong, Andrew Coleman, Clint Patterson, and Cole Patterson. Honorary pallbearer will be Joseph Engler. Joan was a member of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church where she served in several ministries over the years, including Eucharistic Minister, Catholic Daughters, and the Women’s Auxiliary to the Knights of Columbus. Joan enjoyed traveling the United States in their motorhome, dancing with her husband, gardening, baking, attending LSU football games with close friends, playing bridge and pokeno with her lady friends, and most of all being the biggest cheerleader for all of her children and grandchildren at their activities and sporting events. We would like to thank her caregiver, Jill Blackledge; and all the nurses, caregivers, and staff at Magnolia Brook who have cared for her over the last four years. Joan was a long-standing parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church. Donations may be made to her parish church, Magnolia Brook Assisted Living (Memory Care) in Baton Rouge, or the Alzheimer's Association. Family and friends may sign the online guest book or leave a personal note to the family at www.rabenhorst.com.