Lillian Pagel

Lillian Katherine Pagel, age 102, a longtime resident of Cannon Falls, left to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on January 13, 2026, at Cannon Rivers Senior Living.

Lil was born on September 14, 1923, in Warsaw Township, the daughter of Oscar and Jennie (Branden) Kappedahl. Lil married Robert Pagel, while he was home on leave from service in the U.S. Navy, on February 16, 1944, at the Wangen Prairie Lutheran Church. During World War II, she worked as a secretary on Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California where she could be with Bob when he was in port.

Lil was an active member of St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls for many years. She sold Avon products, and later worked at the Cannon Falls schools for many years. After retirement, she worked for a number of years at the Lundberg Funeral Home and helped at the Cannon Valley Fair exhibits.

Lil loved spending time with her family. From hosting holidays to taking her grandchildren and great-grandchildren for nature walks, she always made family a priority. She also enjoyed collecting antiques, playing cards and dominoes, researching her family history, quilting and needlepoint. She helped organize and host neighborhood children's Easter gatherings.

She is survived by her daughter, Martha (Kerry) Navara of Woodbury; sons-in-law Bob Sammelson of Vasa and Steve Norstad of Cannon Falls; nine grandchildren, Sara (Quinn) O'Reilly of Kasson, Rob (Anna) Sammelson of Muncie, IN, Johanna (Jason) Majerus of Goodhue, Stephanie (Dan) Scheffler of Dundas, Barbara Norstad of Northfield, Paul Norstad of Cannon Falls, Jesse Navara of Plymouth, Joe Navara of Woodbury and Tony (Faith) Navara of Plymouth; 10 great-grandchildren, Robby and Andrew Sammelson, Lauryn and Molli O'Reilly, Jacey, Morgan, Lexi and Sam Majerus, Noah and Rachel Scheffler, Elizabeth Navara and James Navara; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, daughters Sandra Sammelson and Linda Norstad; her parents; and three siblings, Obert, Clarence and Clifford.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 21 at 11 am, with visitation from 10-11 am, at Wangen Prairie Lutheran Church, 34289 County 24 Boulevard, Cannon Falls. A private interment will held at a later date. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren.