Engela was born on May 21st, 1859. Engela's father was Gert Steenkamp and her mother was Anna Pelser. She was an only child. She died due to a respiratory problem and/or pneumonia, Bronchitis, at the age of 38 on October 6th, 1897 in No. 81 Cottage, Hanover. She was buried in "Roodekraal".