Jeanette Mae (Smith) Pagel, 92, of Kelly Lake, died on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Cottages at Meadowlands Senior Living in Oconto Falls, after a long bout with cancer.
Jeanette was born in Suring to Joseph and Mabel (Sorenson) Smith on May 19, 1932. She was the youngest of four siblings. Jeanette graduated from Suring High School in 1950.
After high school, Jeanette attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout for two years with the goal of being a home economics teacher. However, love took priority, and Jeanette married Leslie Pagel on May 3, 1952. Together, they purchased a farm and dairy cattle in Spruce and also raised seven children. They farmed for 29 years, then retired to a home on Kelly Lake.
Jeanette enjoyed bowling, golf, reading and painting. She was active in the Sacred Heart Church in Spruce and St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Suring, serving on many leadership committees. She was an auxiliary volunteer at Community Memorial Hospital for many years and at Ruby’s Pantry.
After her husband Leslie Sr. died, she returned to college at UW-Green Bay and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree with high honors at the age of 63. This was a lifelong dream for her.
Jeanette is survived by three of her children. Sandra (Don) Shave of Alpharetta, Georgia, Amy (Tom) VandenLangenberg of Green Bay, Brian (Dan) Pagel of Bella Vista, Arkansas; two daughters-in-law, Margaret and Marie Pagel; 15 grandchildren, Erica (Bill) Maedke, John (Angie) Pagel, Laura (Andrew) Rowell, Kristin Pagel, James Pagel, Caryl (Ossian Foley) Pagel, Paul (Liz) Pagel, Michael (Lauren) Pagel, Kelly (Quentin) Gayles, Kaci Hostios, Adam (Jessica) Pagel, Jared (Allison) Pagel, Alison (Matt) Leubbers, David (Anna) VandenLangenberg, Matt (Stephen) VandenLangenberg; and 30 great-grandchildren.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Leslie Sr., and her second husband of 13 years, Robert Arndt; her parents; siblings, Joyce (Nick) Orovich, Joseph (Phyllis) Smith Jr., Jane (Charles) Nelson; four of her children, daughter Kathryn, sons Leslie Jr., Daniel, Randall; grandson, Chad Pagel; and great-granddaughter, Sarah Maedke.
Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Suring with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m. with Father Walter Stumpf officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in the Town of Spruce.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Cottages at Meadowlands Senior Living and Unity Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to go toward The Cottages at Meadowlands Senior Living, Unity Hospice or St. Michael’s Church in Suring.
Jeanette Mae (Smith) Pagel
