Bernadine Jean Engel

Bernadine (Jean) Engel, 80, of Sioux City, passed away on Monday, May 21, 2007 at a local nursing home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 from 3-8 p.m. A rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m. with the family being present from 6-8 p.m. A vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m. all at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church with Father James Bruch celebrating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Jean was born on May 29, 1926 to Elijah and Bernadine Regina (Wempe) Lefler in Sioux City. She grew up in Sioux City and attended Sioux City schools.

On November 17, 1947, she married Norman Engel at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sioux City.

Jean worked as a sales clerk at J.C. Penney for a short while after her marriage. She then became a homemaker and mother to her children and foster children. Jean and Norman were foster parents for 14 years and took care of 104 babies while waiting for adoption.

Jean was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, where she taught C.C.D classes for several years. She was also a member of the Altar and Rosary Society at St. Boniface. Jean also served as President of the letter carriers auxiliary. She was very active in the PTA at Roosevelt school while her children attended there. Jean loved crocheting and would donate shawls and blankets to the cancer center for patients to wrap themselves up with after their treatments. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles and playing the piano, organ and violin in her younger years. Jean was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Jean is survived by her husband of 59 years, Norman of Sioux City, 7 children, Barbara Conway and husband Henry of Whiting, IA; Steven Engel of Columbus, NE; Gary Engel and wife Deidre of Sioux City, IA; Randy Engel of Sioux City, IA; Beverly Goulette and husband Tom of West Point, NE; Mary Jorgensen and husband Randy of Sioux City, IA; and John Engel of Sioux City, IA; 19 grandchildren, Rachelle McPhillips and husband Scott, Melissa Engel, Jason Engel, Janelle McKenzie and husband Casey, Heidi Grimaldo and husband Jamie Jr., Corey Engel, Russell Engel, Lee Engel, Ashley Ullman and husband Jamie, Ashton Engel, Sharlie Withers, Angelia Goulette, Thomas Goulette Jr., Joshua Jorgensen, Jaclyn (Jackie) Jorgensen, Julie Jorgensen, Jennifer Jorgensen, Jeremy Jorgensen, Jarrod Jorgensen. 9 great grandchildren, Tyson McPhillips, Ciarra McPhillips, Declan McPhillips, Britton McKenzie, Xavier McKenzie, Summer Ann Ullman, Julia Goulette, Alexis Jorgensen, Colton Dimick.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and 2 brothers, Walt and Bill Lefler.