RAMONA PAGEL

Ramona L. Pagel, of Neenah, age 70, died peacefully Sunday, August 15, 2010, surrounded by her family and friends at Cherry Meadows Hospice following a short battle with cancer. Mona was born on May 10, 1940 in Minneapolis, daughter of the late Leonard M. and Bernice L. (Anderson) Johnson. Mona graduated from River Falls High School in 1958. She then graduated from Stout State College in 1962 with a degree in Home Economics and was a sister in the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. Mona taught Home Economics in Berlin, WI, for two years and then on June 27, 1964 she married Ken J. Pagel in River Falls, WI. They resided in Abilene, TX for two years before moving to Neenah in 1966. Along with raising a family, she taught evening cooking and sewing classes at Fox Valley Technical College in Neenah. The family then moved to Massachusetts in 1984 for two years. Mona then moved back to Neenah where she was employed with St. Elizabeth Hospital and then for the VA Clinic in Appleton until her retirement in 2002. Mona loved adventures, both large and small, life-long learning, and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed bridge club, gardening, sewing, Supper Club, traveling extensively throughout the world (her favorite destinations were Sweden and Israel), attending her grandchildrens activities, and fish frys. She always had time for an Old Fashioned. Mona was an active member of Faith United Methodist Church in Neenah, the P.E.O., Neenah-Menasha Tuesday Club, a founding member of the MVP Club, Swedish Club and the Swedish Council of America. Survivors include three children: Caryn L. (Steve) Kihl, Troy L. (Lisa) Pagel, John S. Pagel and his fianc, Stacy Free; eight grandchildren: Hannah and Hayden Kihl, Logan and Tessa Pagel, Brayden, Landon and Amaya Free, and Taya Pagel; her husband and special friend, Ken Pagel; a sister, Ila (Donald) Hansen; a sister-in-law, Patricia Johnson; niece and nephew, Ingrid and Rolf; two aunts: Rosie Blad, Elaine Mathiason; many much loved cousins and many devoted friends. She was preceded in death by a brother, Leonard R. Johnson and two aunts: Hazel Ahl and Gladys Nakken. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church 1025 Tullar Rd., Neenah, with the Rev. Mary Council-Austin officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at Neenahs Westgor Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m. and again at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are appreciated for the Swedish Council of America or the church. The family would like to thank Pastor Mary and her Church family, and all of Monas care givers at AMC oncology and Cherry Meadows Hospice for their unending compassion throughout this difficult journey. Mom " your faith was evident by the way you lived your life and you knew at an early age where you would go on this day. You are an example for all who knew you. We love you!