Nikki Sauvageau

Funeral Mass for Nikki Sauvageau, 28, of Minneapolis, MN, formerly of Dickinson, ND will be at 2 p. m. , Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at St. Joseph?s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Father Keith Striefel celebrating. Burial will take place at St. Joseph?s Cemetery later this spring. Visitation will be from 12 p. m. to 9 p. m. , Monday April 13, 2009 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson with a Rosary and Prayer service at 7 p. m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday from 9 a. m. until 1 p. m. at Stevenson Funeral Home. Nikki passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2009 in Minneapolis, MN. Nikki Sauvageau, was born March 15, 1981 to Tomas and Gwen (Jost) Sauvageau in Dickinson, ND. She was united in marriage to Chris Johnson in 2004. Nikki?s charismatic personality attracted people, who loved her humor and benefitted from her support. She had a knack for pepping you up when you were down. She had a passion for telling stories that would make you laugh so hard that tears would roll down your cheeks. Her big beautiful smile would light up a room when she walked in. She was the life of the party and the center of attention. Nikki never met an animal she didn?t love. This caring trait saved many a cat found wandering the streets of Dickinson. Her family accepted that she would be nurturing and caring for these orphaned animals in their home. She especially loved her two dogs Abby and Alli. She loved the challenge of a good debate. Her quick wit and competitive spirit put her in the winner?s circle of the debates most of the time. She competed just as adamantly with board games. She blitzed all contenders in games like Scattergories and Taboo. After graduating from Dickinson High School she attended Rocco?s School of Cosmetology. She worked in exclusive salons such as Rocco Altobeli?s in Minneapolis, MN and Van Michael?s in Atlanta, GA. She was a licensed realtor and worked for Home and Land Company in Dickinson. Nikki was a victims? advocate for domestic violence. She invested her heart into caring for the clients she served. She experienced the frustration of not being able to solve all of these victim?s problems. Whenever Nikki came home, a call telling her mother she wanted some good home cooking would always precede her. It was understood that this included Gwen?s famous three corners, tasty lasagna, and crab legs. She always said she planned to leave ten pounds heavier after a weekend at her moms. Ironically Nikki?s competitive spirit failed her as she battled alcoholism and prescription drugs. Their deadly combination changed every part of her life. Like all diseases, her family supported her, but could not change the outcome of the disease. We hope this painful statement will help other families as they deal with addictions suffered by family members. We love her and know she and her dad are at home with the angels, receiving and sharing support together in heaven. Nikki is survived by her mother Gwen Sauvageau, of Dickinson, ND; sisters, Sheila Sauvageau Smestad, of Brooklyn Park, MN; Janell (Craig) Ford of Douglas, WY; Jolene (Glenn) Baranko of Dickinson, ND; two nephews, Trent Ford and Mathew Baranko; four nieces, Breianna Smestad, Savanna Baranko, Jeanna and Timea Ford. She is preceded by both sets of grandparents and her father, Tom Sauvageau.


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Burial Date: April 14, 2009
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Tuesday; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, ND