Robert Pagel

Robert Lloyd “Bob” Pagel, age 87, a lifelong resident of Cannon Falls, left to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus on Monday morning, April 5, 2010 at the Cannon Falls Medical Center.

Bob was born the youngest of thirteen children on April 10, 1922 in Cannon Falls, the son of Charles and Mary (Erickson) Pagel.  He was baptized on July 21, 1922 at the First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls. His mother died when Bob was just six years old.  Bob attended Cannon Falls High School, and went on to serve in 1942 with the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He served on the USS Breton until his honorable discharge in 1945.

Bob married Lillian K. Kappedahl on February 16, 1944 at the Wangen Prairie Lutheran Church.  He was confirmed at that church on March 9, 1947.

Bob has been an active member of St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls since 1946, and had been an active member for many years of the Oxford Sportsman’s Club.  He had been employed at Northern States Power Company for many years, and was a 60-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  He had also been a member for many years with the VFW Nelson Scofield Post #4452.

Bob loved being outdoors and enjoyed nature and animals.  He loved playing cards, deer hunting, trapping, fox hunting, fishing and playing horseshoes.  He was an avid baseball fan, and had also played with the Cannon Falls Bears as a catcher and left fielder for 10 years, including one season as State champs!

His family, hunting and baseball buddies were very special to him.  He will be greatly missed!

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Lil; two daughters, Linda (Steve) Norstad of Cannon Falls and Martha (Kerry) Navara of Woodbury; son-in-law, Robert Sammelson of Red Wing; nine grandchildren, Sara (Quinn) O’Reilly of Kasson, Robert (Anna) Sammelson of Muncie, IN, Johanna (Jason) Majerus of Goodhue, Stephanie (Dan) Scheffler and Barbara Norstad, all of Northfield, Paul Norstad of Cannon Falls, Jesse Navara of Golden Valley, Joe and Tony Navara, both of Woodbury; eight great-grandchildren, Robby and Andrew Sammelson, Lauryn and Molli O’Reilly, Jacey, Morgan and Lexi Majerus, and Noah Scheffler; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Sandra Sammelson on October 3, 2007; his parents; and twelve siblings, Arthur (Emily), Esther (Jim) Burke, Elizabeth (Claude) Williams, Harry (Thresa), Alfred, Audrey Pagel, Henry “Hank” (Agnes), Clarence (Donna), Rose (Carl) Helgren, Agnes (Myron) Platt, Raymond (Ruth), and Laura (Steve) Tedore.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 9 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 10-11 a.m., at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church, 7459 Hwy 19 Blvd, Cannon Falls, with Pastor Gary Schulz and Pastor Carol Sinykin officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Cannon Falls Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred in Bob’s memory.

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