Simone Pagel

Simone M. Pagel, age 80, of New Holstein, passed away on July 30th in her home after a battle with cancer. She was born on February 21, 1945, in Manitowoc, WI, to the late Ernest and Myrnabelle Olm Sy.

Simone went to school in Valders, where she graduated in 1963. She was active in high school, enjoying singing in the choir and the Triple Trio with her classmates, being a member of the Glee Club, and participating in solo and ensemble competitions.

On December 15, 1963, she married her love, Marvin Pagel, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Collins. They enjoyed a wonderful life together, raising their children, Eric and Lisa, as well as farming and raising Suffolk sheep on their farm. When she wasn’t helping on the farm, Simone worked at Schmitz Clothing for 10 years and at the Calumet Vet Clinic for over 20 years.

Throughout her life, Simone had been a longtime, active member of St. Martin Lutheran Church in Chilton, where she taught Sunday School, directed the junior choir, and helped decorate the church for every holiday. When she wasn’t volunteering, Simone enjoyed gardening, working with flowers, and helping to prepare the sheep for the fair for her children, Eric and Lisa, as well as her grandchildren, Ashley and Alex.

She will be sadly missed by her husband, Marvin Pagel; her children, Eric (Cathy) Pagel and Lisa (Scott) Wold; grandchildren, Ashley Pagel, Alex (Carli) Pagel, and Jack (Sarah Frenz) Wold; great-grandchildren Lukas and Titus Pagel; brother Gary Sy; brother and sister-in-law Donald (Kris) Pagel; and godchildren Julie (Roger) Urbanek and Brad (Dawn) Pagel. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Simone was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Myrnabelle Sy; her mother and father-in-law, Herman and Grace Pagel; a brother-in-law, James Pagel; and a sister-in-law, Janice Sy.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 8, 2025, at St. Martin Lutheran Church (717 Memorial Dr.) in Chilton. Friends may call from 9:30 am until 11:00 am at the church on the day of service.

Simone and her family would like to thank their family and neighborhood friends for their prayers and visits over the last few months. A special thanks to the doctors and staff at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Calumet County Hospice for their wonderful care, especially Michelle. Sincere thanks from Simone for being on the prayer chain at St. Martin Lutheran Church and to friends Pat and Larry for their continuous correspondence with their beautiful cards and wonderful words of encouragement over the past couple of years.

“As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.” Isaiah 40:11

I love you all more than there are stars in the sky.