Samuel Nelken

Samuel Nelken, 84, of Natchitoches passed away February 26, 2013 in Natchitoches, Louisiana at his home. Sam was born October 15, 1928 in Crowley, LA. He graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1945. He attended Northwestern State College, earning a bachelor’s degree. Following college, he attended Louisiana State University earning his law degree in 1956. He served in the Marine Corps from 1945 to 1947 where his tour of duty sent him to China. He was what is known as a China Marine. After graduating from law school he became a practicing attorney in Natchitoches until retiring in 2007. He was preceded in death by his father Sylvan W. Nelken; his mother Lennie D. Nelken; his sisters Sarah Elizabeth Nelken Woodyard and Dorothy Ann Nelken Owen. Sam is survived by his sister Catherine Nelken Bienvenu Henry of San Antonio, Texas; his son Sam W. Nelken and his wife Selma of Natchitoches; George I. Nelken of Brooklyn, New York; Sarah Nelken Jerome and her husband Kevin of Keller, Texas; five grandchildren Jennifer C. Nelken, Caroline P. Jerome, Hannah E. Jerome, Rebecca C. Jerome, Matthew N. Jerome and numerous nieces and nephews. Sam was a big outdoor enthusiast with his hunting and fishing pursuits. He loved to cook, with his favorite dishes being duck gumbo and dove gravy. He was also an avid reader. In his later years he enjoyed going to the gym with his friends from the wellness center and talking to the ladies. He also loved spending mornings at Conna Cloutier’s talking with Conna and Marcie and playing with the dogs especially Max. A memorial service will be held in his honor at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches on Saturday March 23 at 1:30 p.m. A reception and visitation with family and friends will be held at Merci Beaucoup Restaurant following the memorial. His family wishes to thank the staff at the Natchitoches Parish Hospital and the Northwestern Louisiana Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Sam’s name may be made to the Sylvan W. Nelken Memorial Scholarship at the NSU Foundation.