BioA: Pagel, Mr./Mrs. Louis Sr. (60th – 1968)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Pagel, Danielewicz, Leskinen, Wald, Dudansky, Herrick

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 11 Jul 1968

Pagel, Mr./Mrs. Louis Sr. (60th – 30 JUN 1968)

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Pagel Sr. celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, Sunday, June 30th. A dinner was held at the Thorpedo for the immediate family at noon, and open house at their home in the afternoon, with many relatives and friends attending.

As a special honor to their deserving parents, Mrs. Alice Danielewicz wrote an article titled "Over the Years With Our Mom and Dad," which she read following the meal. Comments were made by members of the family and enjoyed by all.

"We are gathered here today to help our mom and dad celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. This is indeed a happy occasion and we children wish to express our love and appreciation to our mom and dad on this, their day. I have title this 'Over the Years with Our Mom and Dad,' so we will go back 60 years and relate some of the events during their married life.

"Our mom and dad were married June 30th, 1908 at Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.). The first 3 years they lived at Gilman, where our dad worked at Heagle's Heading Mill and in the lumber camps during the winter. Two children were born while in Gilman, Leora and Henry. In 1911 they bought 80 acres of wild land southwest of Reseburg, built a log house and barn and stated farming. They worked hard clearing the land, and later built a frame hous. John, Louie Jr., Julia and Evelyn were born on this farm. In the fall of 1918 they bought his mother's farm, located 1 mile east and 1 1/4 miles south of Reseburg. We all received our education at Reseburg State Graded School. Our mom and dad are lifetime members of the Lutheran Church, and we all were baptized and confirmed in that faith. Fred, Allie, Alene, Nettie, Florence, Theron, Mary Ann and I were born here. On Aug. 24th, 1921, our mom gave birth to triplet girls, the first in the relation and the first in Clark County. There was much excitement as the new spread, with people coming from far and near to see th babies. I am sure there were many anxiety filled days and sleepless night, but with their tender loving care we survived. The in June of 1922, Good took our triplet sister, Alene, to her eternal home. Time passed and in 1928 a tornado hit, destroying the barn. It was rebuilt that same summer. They worked very hard and endured many hardships along the way. In the winter of 1933, our dad was ill with erysipelas, spending many months in bed and the wheelchair. I am sure most of us can remember those days. In 1937 our Aunt Clara passed away, and our mom and dad took the baby, Gordon, then 9 months old, and raised him. Two of our brothers served our country during war, Louie Jr. in the 2nd World War in Germany, and Theron in the Korean War. Gordon served in the Armed forces, also 3 grandsons, Gerald Pagel, Richard Leskinen and Paul Pagel, now in Vietnam.

"Our dad served as Treasurer of the town of Reseburg for several years, and mom has been a longtime member of the Ladies Aid and Ladies Auxiliary.

They sold their farm in 1946 and bought a place 1/2 mile east of Thorp, and 1 1/2 years later moved the house to its present place. Dad worked for the city of Thorp until 1956, an also had the job of hauling mail for several years. He stated patrolling school children and just finished his 10th school term.

In 1958 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with all 13 children present. Now another ten years have passed and we are together again, only now there are 12. Our brother Henry passed away in November 1966, and we will miss him ver much. Julia and Mary Ann were not able to be here today, and we miss them too. We are happy to have our Aunt Jessie and Uncle Walter, Uncle Paul and Aunt Emma and Aunt Mary with us today. They have 51 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews living all over this big wide world. Their oldest grandchild is Florence Dudansky Wald and the youngest is Mary Leskinen. Their oldest great-grandchild is Jacky Wald and the youngest is Cheryl Herrick.

"In closing now I am sure that going 'Over the Years with Our Mom and Dad' has brought back many memories to them and all of us and I hope each of you can relate some events that you remember in addition to what I have written. So on behalf of all present we extend our heartiest congratulations and may God continue to bestow his richest blessing on our mom and dad, today and always."