Lawrence (Larry) G. Pagel was born in Merrill to Raymond and Opal Pagel on Friday, February 24, 1939. He was received into God’s kingdom of grace through the waters of Holy Baptism on June 8, 1939 at Immanuel Church in Doering, WI. He made the promises of Baptism his own upon his Confirmation on April 11, 1954 at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kohn presiding. His confirmation verse was 1 Timothy 1:15. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst”
Larry married Janice Blaeske on September 11, 1965 in Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI. Lawrence served honorably in the United States Army from 1961-1965. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He worked for Perfex Corporation, several cleaning companies, Wrico Corporation, and was a bus driver for 46 years. He was a hard working man, always providing for his family. Larry enjoyed attending church, watching the Brewers and the Packers, babysitting his grandchildren, and playing card games—-solitaire was his favorite. Lawrence was a member of St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran Church in Milwaukee and was a member of General Charles Post 406 of the American Legion in Milwaukee.
On Saturday evening, September 5, 2015, as a patient at the Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Larry was called to his eternal home at the age of 76 years, 6 months, 12 days.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Janice, Milwaukee; his brother, Edward, Rhinelander; his sister, Sharon, Merrill; his daughter, Georgia (Rev. Scott) Gustafson, Merril; his son, Gary (Neva) Pagel, Menomonee Falls; his grandchildren—-David, Caleb, Joshua, Sarah, Rachel Gustafson, Gavin Pagel; nephew Ronald Barritt, other relatives and friends.
Lawrence’s funeral was Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Harder Funeral Home in Brookfield, WI with the Reverend Donald P. Weiss officiating. A special flag presentation was provided by the American Legion at the Funeral Home with interment and military honors rendered at the Wisconsin Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Scott Gustafson officiating.