Eugene Nagel

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Eugene Ralph Nagel, 82, of Gettysburg, passed away Monday, July 25, 2022, at Avera Oahe Manor, Gettysburg, SD surrounded by his wife and daughters. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 1, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg, with Father Brian Simon presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 31, 2022 at the church with visitation one-hour prior.

Eugene was born 12-20-1939, in Gettysburg, SD, to John Adam and Rose (Brincks) Nagel.  He grew up on the family farm in Northwest Potter County as the middle child of seven, learning his life role as harmonizer and peacemaker. 

Eugene attended a one room country school and then high school in Gettysburg, SD, graduating in 1958.  He was a member of the Catholic Youth Organization, FFA and 4-H. Eugene received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, Brookings, SD, in 1962. Eugene was on the SDSC Dean’s Honor Roll, the 1962 Little International Tour Superintendent, active in SDSC Ag Club and helped build the Pope Pius XII Newman Center.  

Eugene returned to the family farm raising crops, cattle and pigs. September 27, 1969, he married his love, Stella (Weninger). Later two daughters were born.  Through the farm he sold Dr. McDonald’s feed. He was proud to help build a state-of-the-art hog confinement building in 1972, bring Gelbvieh cattle to the U.S. in the 1980’s, and maximize livestock rations and carcasses. He was especially proud of building and maintaining strong fences– excited about the gate latches he designed and built. 

Eugene loved God, his family, the farm, and learning. Family never stopped with simply his wife, kids and grandkids but included everyone he came in contact with; he never met a stranger. He loved telling stories about haying, fixing fence, harvesting, livestock, his grandfather, and showing his intense love for agriculture and the people in his life. He harbored a genuine interest in the world and people around him. He enjoyed the simple things—flowers, ice cream, Pepsi, raspberries, chokecherries, plums, cherries, traveling, reading, and napping. 

Eugene was an active EMT 25 years, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Knight, Potter County Farm Bureau member, a National FFA Alumni member, Potter County 4-H Beef Superintendent 15 years, and helped with many local, regional and state FFA events. 

Eugene and Stella hosted three exchange students Michi Iguchi, Japan; Dicky Yung, Hong Kong; and Lily Baracuda, Bolivia expanding their personal learning and knowledge of the world.                                                

Eugene is survived by his wife of 52 years, Stella (Weninger) Nagel; daughters, Gerri (Shon) Eide and Dawn Nagel; and three grandchildren, Hunter, Tanner, and Bobbi Eide, all of Gettysburg, SD; brothers, Herman (Becky) Nagel and James (Roseann) Nagel; sister, Irma (Tom) LeFaive; sisters-in-law: Kathleen Nagel, Mary Nagel, and Marcy Swengel; brothers-in-law, Norb (Phyllis) Weninger and Steve (Jean) Weninger; many loved cousins, nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, LaVerne Meyers; and three brothers: Arnold, Leonard and Larry Nagel.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Eugene’s arrangements.