Service Information
Rozella Pagel, age 86, of Winthrop passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at Oak Terrace Health Care Center in Gaylord.
A Private Family Burial will be at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Bismarck Township, Sibley County, Minnesota.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Obituary
On December 13, 1933, in Penn Township, McLeod County, Minnesota, Emil and Margaret (Bartels) Draeger welcomed their first daughter into this world. She was given the name, Rozella Mae.
She became God’s child through Holy Baptism on December 31, 1933, by Reverend W.E. Diemer at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Penn Township, Brownton, Minnesota. She reaffirmed her baptismal vows on April 25, 1948, when she was confirmed at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church by Reverend J.H. Kolberg.
When she was old enough to attend school she became a student at District #7 Penn Township until she completed the 8th grade. She then attended school at the Brownton High School, Brownton, Minnesota, graduating on June 1 with the graduating class of 1951.
As most young people do after graduating, she went out into the world. She started working at the Green Lantern Café in Gaylord, Minnesota. She later worked at Swanson’s in New Auburn, Minnesota.
On October 7, 1951, Mom’s life changed. She met a handsome groomsman at her cousin’s wedding. Is it any wonder that dad’s favorite waltz was the Blue Skirt Waltz; mom was wearing a blue dress the day they met!
She and dad were married on November 28, 1952, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Penn Township, by Reverend Ernest Lehne. Dad and mom shared 57 years of marriage when dad passed away on March 7, 2010.
Jesus welcomed mom into his loving arms on April 7, 2020, at Oak Terrace Health Care Center in Gaylord, Minnesota.
Dad entered the United States Army on March 6, 1953, and as soon as she could mom went to Georgia to be with him. She stayed there until dad got his order that he had to go overseas to Germany.
When dad got home from Germany in 1955, they settled on a farm northwest of Winthrop in Bismarck Township, rural Winthrop, Minnesota, where they farmed and their five children were raised. This farm was her home until August 8, 2019, when she fell and broke her hip.
After her marriage she became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday school, was a member of the Ladies Aid, and served on the anniversary committee for the 125th anniversary of St. John’s.
She enjoyed numerous trips with Hands. The longest trip mom and dad made was to Germany. But one trip to Germany didn’t satisfy them. Two more trips to Germany were made. On the last trip, a river boat cruise down the Rheine River and going into Switzerland were the highlights she talked about.
She enjoyed cooking and was not afraid to “invent” new recipes. She entered the Pillsbury Bakeoff contest several times. She told us she thought Pillsbury stole her idea for Chocolate Delight Dessert. The reason she thought this is because a couple of years after she submitted that recipe Pillsbury had a cake mix for a cake that had a pudding bottom just like the recipe she entered.
She had a knack for tasting something and then figuring out how to duplicate it. What comes to mind is Strawberry Banana Split Pie. We couldn’t wait for another family gathering to have a piece of that pie! She could make the best apple and zucchini pies too. If there was a bounty of apples and zucchini she baked pies until the freezer was busting. If you ask her grandkids what is the best thing Grandma cooks the answer will be “Rice.” (Mom made rice for every family gathering.) She had one problem, her bowl needed to get bigger and bigger as her family grew, not only in number but also as the kids grew they had bigger appetites.
Spending time with her children brought joy into her life. As the years went by, her joy was increased as grandchildren and great-grandchildren became part of her family.
She is survived by her:
Children, Carolyn (Keith) Gilland, LaCinda (Anthony) Seidenkranz, Delayne (Kaylene) Pagel, Lila (Steven) Mueller, and LaNae (Benjamin) Schmidt. Her grandchildren, Mark Gilland, Tammy (Andrew) Meyer, Kristel (Bennet) Jeppesen, Lisa (Mark) Raykowski, Sara (Aaron) Cahill, Cheryl Seidenkranz (significant other, Patrick Judge), David (Elizabeth) Pagel, Karl (Andrea) Pagel, Trevor Krueger-Pagel, Amanda (Aaron) Bethke, Kimberly (Aaron) Reich, Carrissa Crain (significant other, Jameson Johnson), Michael Crain, and Desirae Schmidt. Her step-grandchildren, Tiffany (Andrew) Nelson and James (Sheryl) Schmidt. Her great-grandchildren, Kathryn, Elizabeth and Jonathan Meyer, Abbygail and Hunter Jeppesen, Logan and Ellie Cahill, Nolan Judge, Leopold Pagel, Ella Pagel, August, Adler, Asa and Amos Bethke, Savannah Reich, and Evalyn Johnson. Her step-great-grandchildren, Branden and Trenna Jeppesen, Matthew Wulitich, Owen and Elliot Nelson and Juniper Schmidt. Her two sisters, Marian Frauendienst, Ruth (Kenneth) Terlinden; sister-in-law, Lois Pagel, her aunt, Edna Rettig and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was greeted in Heaven by our dad, Dennis, her parents, Emil and Margaret Draeger; her parents-in-law, Leo and Ella (Grochow) Pagel; her two brothers-in-law, Virgil Frauendienst and Roger Pagel; and many more relatives.
As she lay in her bed during her last days here on earth, we noticed her hands. We thought of all the things her two hands have touched, held, caressed, and done to serve her Lord and her family. Oh how we wish her hands could hold us one more time.
Let us rejoice in the knowledge that we have eternal life with our Father in Heaven.
Mom we celebrate your life!
Dolly johnson says
My deepest sympathy to your entire family. I enjoyed the conversationd we had. God has wrapped his arms around her. Love to you all
Dolly johnson
Phyllis Meffert says
Rozella was my roommate when I was at the nursing home. What a wonderful lady. I missed her when she moved to assisted living and I thought about her often when I went home. She was very proud of her family and loved all of you. My sympathy to you.
Katie Gran says
So many hugs to the family of Rozella! She was the sweetest lady! Anyone related to her or friends with her should consider themselves lucky! She will be an amazing angel watching over everyone!
Keith Anderson says
I am sorry for your loss she was a good person we are going to miss her alot she will be in our hearts all the time if is there anything let me know asap my cell phone number is 3203101248 thanks
Rosemary Arhart says
My sincerest sympathy to Rozella’s family. She was a nice lady to know. The world has lost one special person. May the Lord be with you and bless you all.
Russell Lange says
Beautiful obit. Did not know your mother but I’m from Winthrop and attended Peace Lutheran back when I was there with our family. Your last line about her hands brought tears to my eyes, it made me think of my Mom, Ella Lange.
Jens Jensen ? says
LaNae: I send my condolences to you and your family. I remember your mom when I was teaching. I’m guessing that your mom is telling Jesus to send some light our way because of all the darkness these days. I’m thinking of you. ?
Barb (Ellig) VanOverbeke says
Although I don’t believe I ever met Rozaella, unless I did at a very young age, I believe she was the cousin I remember my Dad (Elmer Ellig) talking so fondly about so many times over the years. I remember always thinking I sure wish I could meet this “Cousin Rozella”. My sympathies to your Family.
Donnie Harrell says
my sincere condolence to the entire Pagel family she will be missed she is now by her Husband side Dennis in Heaven and in peace she will also be meeting my parents Don & Leane Swenson whom were great friends of the Pagels which also shared in farming activitys i have knew the Pagels going up as a boy as well as several members of the family be in peace Rozella i know you and my family are watching down on all of us