Marilyn R. Pagel

St. CharlesThroughout her rich and rewarding life, Marilyn Pagel spent her days fully embracing the people and experiences that touched her heart. She was caring, compassionate, and ever mindful of others with a desire to live a life of faith that inspired those around her. A devoted wife, loving mother, and doting grandmother, there was nothing that Marilyn loved more than watching her family tree grow to include the grandchildren who were her greatest source of pride and joy. A longtime resident of the St. Charles community, she was the sort of person whom everyone wanted to know. With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Marilyn created a masterpiece of memories shared with her family and friends that will never be forgotten by all who were blessed to feel her touch.Although the 1920s were predominantly a prosperous time in America, it was a much different story in the 1930s as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, which made the unemployment rate soar, and there was also a crippling drought that covered the nation's heartland throughout the entire decade. Despite the challenges around them, a young couple from Rochester, Minnesota, was thrilled to announce the birth of their healthy baby girl on July 28, 1932. Marilyn R. was one of six children born to her parents, Ervin and Louella (Wyman) Radke, and she was raised in the family home alongside her sisters, Shirley and Barbara, and her brothers, Herman, David, and Frank. Her parents were hard workers, which instilled within Marilyn a strong work ethic that would be her constant companion. The Radke family was a close knit group who deeply loved one another. In many ways Marilyn experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of the time. She attended local schools and went on to graduate from St. Charles High School in 1951.Life was forever changed for Marilyn when she met the young man with whom she would share a lifetime of love. His name was Logan Pagel, and they met when she was waitressing in her parents' bar and grill in St. Charles. Sparks flew right from the start, and he felt like he fit in as a part of the family - so much so that Logan walked through the swinging doors right past the "employees only" sign. However, he was greatly mistaken when Marilyn's father straightened him right out saying, "Look at that sign, young man!" The sweethearts soon found themselves deeply in love, and with a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Marilyn and Logan were married in St. Charles on June 12, 1952, in 100 degree heat. The couple was quite a mess from the heat after driving to Winona to have their wedding pictures taken. The newlyweds drove out to Wyoming for their honeymoon in Logan's '51 Ford, which was Marilyn's first time out of Minnesota. It was quite an experience, too, as she cried at the South Dakota border because she was scared and just wanted to go home. They continued on, however, and stayed in a cabin in Cody, Wyoming. Despite her hesitancy in traveling as a young bride, Marilyn and Logan would go on to travel together quite often throughout their married life. Imagine their surprise when they made the trip back to the same place in Cody in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary to find that the same 92 year old owner was still working in the kitchen!The young couple moved to Germany for 18 months while Logan was in the service and settled in Hannah, located 20 miles from Frankfurt. While in Germany, Marilyn met a former German soldier who upon finding out she was American asked Marilyn if she lived anywhere near Whitewater State Park, where he had served as a Prisoner of War. Marilyn proudly answered, "Yes, 10 miles away." He went on to talk of the beautiful land and good people he met while there.After returning stateside, Marilyn and Logan farmed East of St. Charles. She worked right alongside her husband and enjoyed the hard work including calving in the spring, which was a challenging time as they traveled the farm to assist the cows as they calved. Together Marilyn and Logan were thrilled to adopt their daughter, Patti, who thrived in their home. They were later given a challenge to overcome when a tornado hit the farm in 1967, destroying sheds and the barn, yet sparing the two homes along side. They experienced first hand what being neighborly was about, as three hours after the storm, friends and neighbors had their milking set up ready to go in a neighbors vacant barn. It was while cleaning up the storm mess that their family grew to include their adopted daughter, Michelle, who completed their family of four. Marilyn fully embraced her role as a mother and made spending time as a family a priority. Some of their favorite memories were made camping and traveling together in campers and later in a motorhome. Their travels took them all the way from California to New York.In addition to caring for her family, Marilyn kept busy in other ways. She worked as a switchboard operator for a time, and she later drove a school bus for 28 years. Through the years she drove 735,000 miles, transporting kindergarten and special needs students where they needed to go safely without a citation, fender bender, or band aid. With a spirit of adventure, Marilyn enjoyed horseback riding, jeep rides, and snowmobiling. As someone who loved being outdoors, she could often be found working in her rock garden. She and Logan spent countless hours looking for the perfect rocks for her garden including the rock that will mark their grave in Dover. In addition, Marilyn was a member of the St. Charles United Church of Christ and Ladies Aid.It has been said that the best day of Marilyn's life was the day she became a grandmother for the first time with the birth of Dustin. His birth was especially meaningful as her daughter, Patti, experienced medical challenges while pregnant. Marilyn was an amazing grandmother who loved being in the kitchen. She always had soup simmering on the stove during the winter and was also famous for her jelly cake, German potato salad, and scalloped potatoes and ham. Not only was she "fast in the kitchen" according to her grandson, she was also known for adding "just a smidgeon" of whatever ingredient went in.With unending devotion to her family, Marilyn Pagel lived life to the fullest each day. She experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer, yet nothing was better than being surrounded by the ones she loved most. Marilyn leaves behind a timeless legacy that will be carried on by those who follow in her footsteps.Marilyn R. Pagel, of St. Charles, died Saturday, November 1st at Seasons Hospice in Rochester. Marilyn's family includes her husband, Logan; two daughters, Patrisha (George) Kirk of Cody, WY and Michelle Pagel of Onamia, MN; four grandsons, Dustin (Jennifer) Pagel, Josh Pagel, Andrew Kochen, and Ross Pagel; sister, Barbara Jones of Fairfield, CA. Marilyn was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Bell, and three brothers, Herman, David and Frank Radke. Services to remember Marilyn's life will be 11a.m. Wednesday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in St. Charles with Jason Chamberlain and Reverend James Barnhart presiding. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday and 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date in Evergreen Cemetery at Dover. Please share a memory of Marilyn with her family and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Memorials are preferred to Seasons Hospice. Honorary Pallbearers will be her nieces and nephews; Linda Bell, Sherry Johnson, Debbie Atherton, Terry Kautz, Gregg Bell and Rick Bell.