Alton “Tony” Pagel
Monday, December 31, 1934
Date of Death:
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Age:
79 years old
Visitation
Date: Friday March 21, 2014
Time: 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Saturday March 22, 2014
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Funeral Service
Date: Saturday March 22, 2014
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Grandview Memorial Gardens [ view map ]
Monday, December 31, 1934
Date of Death:
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Age:
79 years old
Monday, December 31, 1934
Date of Death:
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Age:
79 years old
Alton “Tony” Pagel
Alton “Tony“ Pagel, 79, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, MN. Tony was born at home in Marion Township on December 31, 1934, the fifth child of George and Lula Pagel. He grew up in Marion and attended the rural school in the Village. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1952 and attended Rochester Junior College for one year. Tony was a member of the National Guard based in Rochester until receiving a medical discharge in 1955. Tony and Barbara Whitcomb were married at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester on August 12, 1959. They would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this summer.
Tony was proud to be a farmer; his greatest joy was working the land, close to nature, growing crops, raising hogs and his beloved Holstein cattle. He enjoyed showing his livestock at the county and state fairs. He was a huge supporter of the Olmsted County Fair and served with Barb as co-chairman of the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the fair in 2010. He also loved music, both as a listener and as a singer. It was not unusual to enter the barn at milking time and hear Tony singing as he worked. Reading was a favorite pastime; he was a great storyteller and a writer. In recent years Tony and Barb have written their memories to create a book for family and friends. He also collected stories and poems by others that had special meaning for him and often shared them as well.
Tony was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church where he was proud to be an usher and to serve on the Church Council. He was an FFA member, also a 4-H member and adult leader in Olmsted County. He belonged to the Rochester Area Holstein Club, serving as president for a number of years, and was a member of the state and national Holstein Associations.
Tony is survived by his wife, Barb; his children, Rick (Elizabeth) Pagel, Diana (Tim) Mann, and Beth Anne (Mike Pembleton) Pagel, and four grandchildren, Chris & Tony Joe Pagel, and Aric & Mackenzie Mann. Also surviving are his brother, Clifton (Lea) Pagel, and sisters, Marion (Bill) Friedrich, and Jane Mercer, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Tony was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Luella Lorch and Viola Noerenberg, and brother-in-law Gerald Mercer.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Tony on Saturday, March 22, at 11 am at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Visitation will be at Macken Funeral Home River Park Chapel on Friday, March 21, from 3 – 8 pm and at the church from 10 – 11 am before the service on Saturday. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens later in the spring. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Church or an organization of your choice.
Online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com or they may be sent to the family at 5527 70th Ave SE, Rochester, MN, 55904.
Condolences
The family of Alton “Tony” Pagel has received the following condolences.
Barb and Family,
I learned from Dale Mundahl about Tony's death.
When I came to Bethel Lutheran as Pastor of Life and Growth, I received amazing support and encouragement from all of the Pagels. Tony and Barb were such positive leaders and certainly helped make our years in Rochester so memorable.
Eileen joins me in expressing gratitude for your friendship and we wish Sincere Sympathy to each of you.
John Quello
Dear Pagel family-
My deepest condolences on the loss of Tony. He was a wonderful person and I remember how much he cared for his family.
Stefanie Geitz
So many fond memories of Tony and the "Pagel farm" when I was a child. From sledding down that crazy hill, to 4-H Christmas parties, and helping with chores on a very rare occasion. Tony was a man passionate about what he loved and gifted in so many ways. I was blessed to have known him.
My prayers go out to the family of Tony Pagel. My family were neighbors of the Pagels for many years in Marion. May god be your comfort in these sad days.
Barb and family,
You have our deepest sympathy for the loss of Tony. We really enjoyed getting to you know you and my mother-in-law Alice really enjoyed your visits when you were both in the care center. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Scott, Jean & Alice Winslow
Dearest Barb and family,
My deepest Sympathy go out to you on the loss of your hubby and Father Tony. Many wonderful years have been spent together and what a blessing that our dear Lord has allowed this to happen. I did not know Tony but he sounded like he was a wonderful man. I pray God will comfort you all in this time of great loss.
Your old classmate
Audrey (Gottschalk) Folkert
Our condolences from the Woudsma Family in North Carolina to the Family of Alton "Tony" Pagel.
I never got the opportunity to meet Tony's family. I did have the honor of caring for such an amazing man while he was at chosen valley care center. I also got the opportunity to listen to him sing at meal times many times and I will never forget his AMAZING voice. My deepest sympothys to your family during this very difficult time. God has gained another Amazing Angel to watch over all of us. R.I.P Tony you will be missed by many.
Jada Bernau
Diana and family.......
We are all thinking of you at this time. I never had the pleasure of meeting your papa. We are saddened for your family's loss of this wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Shannon, Shaina, Ian, and Zach
Rochester MN