Steven Pagel
September 7, 1950 — November 23, 2018
Steven “Steve” William Pagel, the son of Arthur and Helen (Godberson) Pagel, was born on September 7, 1950 in Denison, IA. He graduated from Denison High School and then attended Midwestern College before it disbanded in 1970. Steve was an active man who enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on his Camaro’s motor and he enjoyed many other things in life also. His parents were members of the Denison Country Club and he learned to play golf at a very early age. During high school and college, he was ranked the number 1 player for those schools. After those schools, he started working at several of the local meat packing plants and purchased a black 1969 Camaro Z28. He spent many hours working on that car and street racing it. The car was so fast, people who started the race were scared to stand on the road. Racing cars was kind of how Steve got to know the love of his life, Jane. She was always supporting him on the “track”. Steve and Jane actually met standing over a foosball table and played many games together. They married in 1981.
Starting in 1985, Steve opened Steve’s Bike Shop (later Steve’s Sports). While he did repair many Huffy’s, he only sold the brands like you would see on Ragbrai. A few of his clients would buy their new bicycle from a large city shop but had it shipped to Steve for assembly. They drove from over 40 miles away and claimed there was no better mechanic. Working didn’t keep him from the golf course however.
While dating, Steve taught Jane how to hunt and the use of guns, and how-to fish. They spent a lot of time at Oldham Recreation Area in Soldier, IA taking the “special hot dogs” with them. Steve loved the “special hot dogs”, but there wasn’t a food he didn’t like and buffets were his favorite. Any place that served buffet’s caught Steve’s eye. Steve loved food. Steve took Jane on many rides on his Harley Davidson Springer. Steve claimed to just ride around, it was never over 50 miles and usually stopped at a restaurant mid ride. He was proud of his children’s accomplishments and told his friends of them. Unfortunately, Steve began having problems with his legs so he gave up riding. This also caused him to give up working in his shop, retiring in 2007.
On Friday, November 23, Steve passed away, rejoining his parents, Arthur and Helen; brother, John Pagel; and sister, Carol Igou, in heaven. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jane Pagel of Denison; his step-son Paul Riesselman of Bennington, NE; his daughter, Sarah Tyner and her husband Heath of Gresham, NE; his son, Michael Pagel and his wife Taryn of Bennington, NE; and 2 grandchildren, Dalton Weier and Gracelyn Pagel, both of Nebraska; many friends.
Starting in 1985, Steve opened Steve’s Bike Shop (later Steve’s Sports). While he did repair many Huffy’s, he only sold the brands like you would see on Ragbrai. A few of his clients would buy their new bicycle from a large city shop but had it shipped to Steve for assembly. They drove from over 40 miles away and claimed there was no better mechanic. Working didn’t keep him from the golf course however.
While dating, Steve taught Jane how to hunt and the use of guns, and how-to fish. They spent a lot of time at Oldham Recreation Area in Soldier, IA taking the “special hot dogs” with them. Steve loved the “special hot dogs”, but there wasn’t a food he didn’t like and buffets were his favorite. Any place that served buffet’s caught Steve’s eye. Steve loved food. Steve took Jane on many rides on his Harley Davidson Springer. Steve claimed to just ride around, it was never over 50 miles and usually stopped at a restaurant mid ride. He was proud of his children’s accomplishments and told his friends of them. Unfortunately, Steve began having problems with his legs so he gave up riding. This also caused him to give up working in his shop, retiring in 2007.
On Friday, November 23, Steve passed away, rejoining his parents, Arthur and Helen; brother, John Pagel; and sister, Carol Igou, in heaven. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jane Pagel of Denison; his step-son Paul Riesselman of Bennington, NE; his daughter, Sarah Tyner and her husband Heath of Gresham, NE; his son, Michael Pagel and his wife Taryn of Bennington, NE; and 2 grandchildren, Dalton Weier and Gracelyn Pagel, both of Nebraska; many friends.
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