Nancy N. Pagel

Nancy Pagel (nee Priest), age 78, of Menasha, passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2025, following a long illness. She was born April 4, 1947, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. While growing up she lived in Fargo, North Dakota, and Wadsworth, Ohio where she graduated from high school. She went to business school and worked for Leopold Construction Company in Columbus, Ohio. She moved to Wisconsin in the early 1970's to work with her parents at their restaurant and bar, Father's Inn, in Greenville, Wisconsin. She then worked at American Toy and Furniture in Hortonville, Wisconsin, along with working part time at her family's tire shop, Priest Tire in Greenville, Wisconsin. After that, she worked at Pierce Manufacturing Inc. in Fox Crossing, Wisconsin, then Alta Resources, in Neenah, Wisconsin until she retired.
Nancy was a very talented ceramic artist. She loved to read, play Bridge, Bunco, and do word puzzles. She loved to travel, spend time at our cottage on Pelican Lake in Wisconsin, and later at our house on Lake Winnebago in the Town of Neenah. In 2022, we had a house built with no steps or stairs to aid in Nancy's handicap.
Nancy was married to Michael Pagel on June 29, 1991, and helped raise three stepchildren.
Nancy was preceded in death by her father, William Priest, mother Phyllis (Schmitt) Priest, sister Mary Ann (Priest) Enger, and brother Pat Priest.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Michael Pagel, her brother Tim (Karen) Priest, sister Penny Priest, brother Mark (Beth) Priest, sister-in-law Judy, stepdaughter Stephanie (Aaron) Pagel, stepdaughter Erin (Doug) (Pagel) Lane, stepson John (Meghan) Pagel, and ten step grandchildren.
A memorial service will take place at 11 am on Saturday, September 13, at the Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel. Friends may visit at the funeral chapel on Saturday from 9:30 am until the time of service.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and doctors at ThedaCare, Appleton (AMC) Hospital and Rennes Health and Rehab Center for all their great care during Nancy's illness.
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