Sallie Engels Nijoka

It is with great sadness we share the loss of our mother who passed away at home Saturday, April 9, 2011, at 12:05 a.m. surrounded by her loving family. She is finally at peace and reunited with her beloved husband, Leo. Sallie was born in Plaquemine on Oct. 8, 1922. She graduated from Baker High School and Baton Rouge Business College. Her early career consisted of work as a medical secretary at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, then a later position as a secretary and bookkeeper at Consolidated Chemicals in Baton Rouge. There she met the love of her life, Leo. A. Nijoka, of Chicago. They married in 1945 and resided in many areas of the country - Chicago; Indianapolis; Little Rock, Ark.; Texas City, Texas; Woodbury, N.J.; and Salt Lake City, before settling near her family in Baker. In 1964, they made a final move to the community of Central, where they raised their 15 children. Sallie was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. She and Leo were two of the first parishioners who were totally committed to the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after the 6:30 a.m. Monday morning Mass. She was a former secretary to the Parish Council, a Eucharistic minister, a member of the Homebound Ministry, the Catholic Daughters of America Court No. 1915 and the Ladies Altar Society. She devoted her life to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all who came in contact with her. She loved to feed whoever came through the door and will be remembered for her homemade yeast rolls, coffee rings and cabbage rolls. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of sampling them always looked forward to more. They were made with true love, which no one could duplicate, although many have tried. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Monday, April 11, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a rosary to be prayed by the Ladies Altar Society of St. Alphonsus at 7:30 p.m. Visitation at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 12, from 11 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m., celebrated by the Rev. Thomas P. Duhé, the Rev. Michael Moroney, Deacon Phil BeJeaux, Robert Kusch and Brother Clement Furno. Entombment at Resthaven Gardens of Memory Mausoleum next to her husband and son. She is survived by six daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Ann and Darrell Kennedy, of Dallas; Monica and Steven Winkler, of Baton Rouge; Priscilla and Barry Arceneaux, of Denham Springs; Debbie and Tom Feltman, of Central; Sally Ann and Gary Henson, of Greenwell Springs; and Sandy and Eddie Martin, of Springfield; nine sons and daughters-in-law, Lee Al and Marilyn Shepard Nijoka, of Baton Rouge; Donald and Sandy Pike Nijoka, of Denham Springs; Glenn and Becky Tullos Nijoka, Rod and Susan Landry Nijoka, Garry and Debbie Herpin Nijoka, Chris and Kim Lively Nijoka, and Barry and Frances Ruffino Nijoka, all of Central; Art and Tina Buller Nijoka, of Greenwell Springs; and Dale and Elizabeth Lucero Nijoka, of Houston; two sisters, Mrs. Wendell (Julia) Watts, of Baker, and Mrs. William (Mae) Hall, of Galveston, Texas; two brothers, Thomas Marionneaux Engels, of Zachary, and James Henry Engels, of Baker. She is also survived by 43 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild, and numerous extended family and friends who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Leo A. Nijoka; son, Paul Duane Nijoka; granddaughter, Jewel Ann Nijoka; great-grandson, Braden Babin; parents, Myrtis Marionneaux and Joseph Arthur Engels; brothers, the Rev. Eugene Ray Engels, Theon Charles Engels, Frederick Gerard Engels, Joseph Arthur Engels Jr. and John Bertram Engels; and a sister, Mrs. Dalton (Anna) Babin. Pallbearers will be her nine sons. Altar servers will be grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Boyd E. Helm, Dr. Louis Hargus, Dr. Ross J. DeNicola, Dr. Benton Dupont, Dr. Gerald Miletello, Brother Clement Furno C.S.c.R., and Charlie Firmin. Special thanks to Dr. Hargus, Dr. Helm, granddaughter, Krystal Feltman, special friends, Claudina Brown and Judy Albarado, and all of the staff from Hospice of Baton Rouge for their love and support of our Mother and the family during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge. Our mother's life was devoted to her family and she will remain forever in our hearts. Rest in peace, Mom! We love you!