Cecile J. Engel

Cecile J. “Cele” Engel, 99, of Shawano, went to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early Saturday morning, Feb. 29, 2020, at Birch Hill Care Center, where she had been a resident for the past 17 months. Cele was born March 2, 1920, in the town of Richmond, Shawano County, a daughter of the late Frank and Susie (Ainsworth) Opperman. She attended the Forest School in the town of Richmond. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church, town of Richmond, which is where she married Frank C. Engel on June 21, 1939. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Two Rivers, then to Texas. Frank went off to war and was captured by the German Army during the Battle of the Bulge. When Frank returned home, the couple moved to Shawano, where Cele was a homemaker and stay-at-home mother. Frank preceded Cele in death on March 26, 1984. Cele was a good and faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church. She served with the Tabitha Society for nearly 30 years where she organized funeral lunches with meticulous recordkeeping. She also worked at the Shawano Civic Center and volunteered on Election Day. Cele was an avid sports fan, always cheering on the Packers and Brewers. Her hobbies included playing cards with three different card clubs, which kept her mind sharp and her wit quick. She also enjoyed dart ball, crocheting, knitting, baking, and cooking. Cele made the best cinnamon buns every week, and served them to her sisters with coffee. She also provided meals to family and friends on a weekly basis, and will be remembered as a very charitable woman. Cele will be missed by her loving and devoted daughter, Susan Leikin, of Jupiter, Florida; four grandchildren, Chris (Katie) Engel and Ben (Stephanie) Engel, both of Minneapolis, David Leikin, of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Mark Leikin, of Jupiter Florida; three great-grandchildren, Olivia, Jack and Adelyn Engel; three sisters, Phyllis Lambries, Bernice Lambries and Joyce DeBauch; her daughter-in-law, Susan Engel; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Todd Engel; two brothers, Wilber and Melvin “Breezy” Opperman; and two sisters, Mavis Rocklewitz and Lorraine Turman. A funeral service for Cecile J. Engel will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at 11 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Pastor Mark Drengler will officiate. Interment will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will begin at the church on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and will continue until the time of service. In lieu of flowers and plants, it was Cecile’s wish that donations be made to the Tabitha Society at St. James Lutheran Church. Mickelson Funeral and Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com. Cele’s family would like to thank the staff at Birch Hill Care Center for the excellent care and love Cele received, as well as Compassus Hospice.