TAMA-Bernice Martha Pagel, age 92, of Tama, died Thursday, September 24, 2009, at the Villa Del Sol in Marshalltown. Funeral Services will be held Monday, September 28, 2009 at 2:00 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama with Pastor Phil Borleske officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held Sunday, September 27, 2009 from 5-8 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Bernice was born on January 18, 1917 to Joseph and Alvina (Friedricks) Lenhart in rural Tama County, Iowa. She was the second of five children raised on the family farm south of Tama. Bernice attended rural schools and graduated from Tama High School in 1934. Bernice enjoyed performing in school plays and continued doing comedic readings for years for church events, showers, etc.
On December 18, 1935, she was united in marriage to Lyle Pagel at her parent's home in rural Tama. They made Tama their home throughout their married life, raising three children there.
Bernice was an active homemaker while her children were young, then worked for the South Tama County school district as a cook, finishing her career as head cook. Bernice was locally known as a great cook and loved nothing more than family dinners with all her homemade favorites. She was a master at rose gardening, her specialty being all variety of red tea roses. Many Tama residents benefited by a visit from Bernice bearing fudge or kringle and a fresh rose bouquet.
Bernice was a very active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama. She was a founding member and continued her stewardship throughout her life by holding numerous offices, teaching Sunday School and serving on various boards. She also was a longtime member of the Tama Federated Club and the Oak Hill Cemetery Association.
Bernice and Lyle enjoyed family vacations traveling to many states and to Canada to fish for many years. Travel partners included Lyle's and Bernice's siblings and families on many memorable trips. Family gatherings of any kind and attending their grandchildren's activities delighted them both.
Bernice and Lyle moved to the Villa in 2006, where they could occupy a room overlooking the flower garden. Bernice lost her precious Lyle in December of 2006, one day short of seventy-one years of marriage and missed him dearly until her death.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Lyle in 2006; her dear daughter, Carol Ann Brown; and three brothers, Johnnie, Clifford and Donald Lenhart.
Survivors include one son, Larry (Patricia) Pagel of Kearney, MO; one daughter, Jeani (Kurt) Sloan of Carlisle; a son-in-law, Harold Brown of Cedar Falls; six grandchildren, Lisa (Rob) Rivera, Debbie (Randy) Rogers, Kris (Todd) Krueger, Joe (Lisa) Pagel, Dr. Kylie (Mike Davis) Sloan, and Capt Joshua (Beth) Sloan; fifteen great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and one sister, Joan Yanda of Maquoketa.
A memorial fund has been established.