Virlin Emil Pagel

July 10, 1933 - January 13, 2020

Virlin Pagel, 86, of Clare, passed into heaven surrounded by his family January 13, 2020 at Trinity Regional Medical Center Ft. Dodge, IA. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 27, 2020 at 3:00 pm at CrossWay Church in Ft. Dodge, IA. Visitation will be at the Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation on Sunday, January 26, 2020 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Virlin Emil Pagel, the son of Emil and Linda (Schwebke) Pagel was born July 10, 1933 in Hardin County. He graduated from Webster City High School in 1952, attended American Technical School, and was employed by Brown Electric. His first love was farming and raising cattle which he began in 1958. He lived and worked on the family century farm, near Clare for 56 years. He also worked for IMT Insurance and began Pagel Electronics. He retired in 2007. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, which usually included rides on the John Deere tractor and feeding the cows. You could always tell when the grandchildren and great grandchildren were visiting by the antique tractors lined up across the farm place ready for rides. Virlin married Virginia Schulze Pagel on October 12, 1958. They have 4 daughters together, 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Virlin is loved and will be dearly missed by his family: his wife, Virginia, his children Joleen & Scott Green of Iowa City, IA; Pamela & Charles Thomas of Badger, IA; Nancy & Donald Williams of Ft. Wayne, IN and Diane Stoddard of Grand Marais, MN. His grandchildren Nathaniel & Andrea Green, Benjamin & Kristen Green, Alexander Green, Josiah Thomas, Rebekah Thomas, Rachel & Seth Lehman, Elizabeth & Benjamin Pollack, Landon & Kaitlyn Williams, Makinsey & Tyler Eix, Lyndsie Williams, Melanie Stoddard and Abigail Stoddard. His great grandchildren Andrew, Jackson, William, Charlotte, and Henry. Also his brothers; Dennis & Kathy Pagel of Webster City and Lyle & Mary Jo Pagel of Mason, OH, and a brother-in-law, Arnie Odland of Webster City, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Eugene Pagel, Virgene Stober, Virlane Gangsted, LaVerne Pagel, & Audrey Odland. Virlin was looking forward to seeing his Savior Jesus in heaven. He always enjoyed sharing his faith with others, and praying for others throughout his life. “Grampa is driving his John Deere tractor to heaven,” was the comment of a great grandchild. Just another example of the legacy of faith he left for his family. On the last day of his life here on earth, all of his girls were able to make it to his side to say their goodbyes, braving winter weather from different parts of the country. Just like any other evening, he requested a snack of vanilla ice cream, which was his favorite. He will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the charitable discretion of the family.