Estella Pagel 1929-2024
Estella R. Pagel, 94, of Holton, passed away Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at Vintage Park in Holton.
She was born July 30, 1929, south of Wetmore, in her grandmother’s home, the daughter of Clyde Patton and Ethel Mae (Trapp) Ely.
Estella attended Hazel Row Grade School, graduated from Wetmore High School in 1946 and attended Clark’s Business School in Topeka.
She was a farmwife who filled in where needed, trying to anticipate Don and the family’s next moves and planned accordingly. She always had a meal ready or sewing up a garment at the last minute. Stories were told of almost fights over the last cinnamon roll she had baked for an event.
She was a member of Netawaka United Methodist Church, Eastern Star Zenith Chapter 184 for more than 60 years, the Kansas Cowbelles/Cattlewomen and a Happy Go Lucky 4-H Leader.
Estella married Donald H. Pagel on March 19, 1950, in Netawaka. She met him when moving into her apartment, as he was helping his sister. Don passed away Oct. 15, 2009, after 59 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by infant twin daughters, Karen and Sharon Pagel (1955); infant granddaughter, Kelly Ane Kathrens (1981); brother, John Ely (2006); and sister, Melba Haas (2005).
Survivors include two sons, Wayne Pagel (Beth) and Henry Pagel (Margaret), all of Holton; daughter, Diane Kathrens (Steve) of Holton; sister, Mary Ann Tuck of Chico, Calif.; sister-in-law, Carolyn Andler of Parkville, Mo.; nine grandchildren, Amy Crotts (Jeff) of Lake Lotawana, Mo., Brandy Watkins (Aaron) of Holton, Dean Pagel (Kelly) of Tempe, Ariz., Will Pagel (Dora) of Edinburg, Texas, Kurt Kathrens (Heidi) of Holton, Jenny Pagel-Guile (Greg) of Washington, Mo., Laney Hilty (Jeff) of Kansas City, Melissa Tanking (Jason) of Lawrence and Matt Pagel (Kelsey) of Wetmore; and 19 great-grandchildren, Jaret, Logan and Brooke Crotts, Carter and Raegan Watkins, Kyler, Bailey, Arabella and Jaxton Kathrens, Mauricio and Samuel Pagel, Greyson and Granger Guile, Sawyer, Lorelei, Maryn and June Tanking and Jude and Harrison Hilty.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow at the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Estella will lie in state after 1 p.m. Sunday until 5 p.m.
Memorials may be given to the Netawaka United Methodist Church or Holton Community Hospital, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
