James Nagel
May 23, 1944 ~ June 24, 2025
James A. Nagel, 81, of Gettysburg, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Billings Clinic Hospital, Billings, MT.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 30, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg, with Fr. Brian Simon presiding. Burial will follow in Pembroke Cemetery, rural Hoven, with military honors. Wake service will be 4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the church, with visitation one-hour prior.
James, son of John Adam Nagel and Rose (Brincks) Nagel Meyers and stepson of Laverne Meyers, was born May 23, 1944, in Gettysburg, SD. He attended Gettysburg High School and South Dakota State University. He served as a United States Army Sergeant in the Vietnam War from September 1967-1968. He married his lifetime partner and bride, Rose Ann (Opitz) Nagel, on November 13, 1982. Rose Ann is the daughter of Melvin and RosaLee Opitz from Eden, SD.
Apart from his time in the service, Jim dedicated his life working on and developing the Nagel family farm. He fondly described his occupation of farming and ranching as professional gambling. He loved to talk about the amount it rained and always humbly accepted God’s plans for the seasons. He was passionate about the land and animals. Jim was a longtime parishioner of Gettysburg’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Over the years, Jim was actively involved in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Right to Life, and was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. Jim served on the Honor Guard for 56 years.
Before marriage, Jim earned his pilot certificate and often told stories of his adventures that involved flying. He had many roles and answered to multiple names: Husband, Brother, Dad, Uncle Jimmy, Hooknose while in the service, and Grandpa Jim. His family became his most important pride and priority, which included many “adopted” family members. He loved to bring laughter wherever he went with humor, banter, and giving his famous calf bellar. One of his greatest joys was riding and caring for his horses. A deep, simple love of family, God, and country embodied Jim’s heart.
James is survived by his wife, Rose Ann; children: Adam, Paul, Sarah (husband Seth), Alex (wife Elizabeth), and Beth (fiancé Caleb); grandchildren: Isaac, Jacob, and Boston McGill (Sarah and Seth) and Maria, Veronica, and Chiara Nagel (Alex and Elizabeth); brother, Herman (Becky) Nagel; sister, Irma (Tom) LeFaive; as well as many extended family including cousins, nieces, and nephews that he cherished.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Rose and stepfather, Laverne; brothers: Eugene, Leonard, Arnie, and Larry; and father and mother-in-law, Melvin and RosaLee Opitz.
The family requests that memorials be directed to Midwest Honor Flight, PO Box 22, Sioux Center, IA 51250. https://www.midwesthonorflight.org/donate.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Jim’s arrangements.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dear Sarah, Seth, and family, I was so sad to hear of your Dad's passing.
Knowing you, one also knows your Dad, who is loving, faithful, and proud of his family. Give thanks for your Dad's life and all it has meant to you and your family. Also, remember the memories of your Dad in your heart for your lifetime. May the blessings of the Lord be upon you and the Nagel Family at this difficult time. God bless your Dad's soul and his loving family.
Prayers for the family of Jim Nagel 🙏- Roseann(wife), Adam, Paul, Sarah, Alex, Beth and their families. May he rest in peace 🙏.
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Nagel family, and to Sarah and Seth at this time. May your memories sustain you at this difficult time. Bless you.
Our deepest sympathy
So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you in the days to come. Our sympathy and prayers for your family. 🙏
Thinking of you all during this time. Remembering Jim's big smile and his sense of humor. Sending lots of prayers your way. <3
Dear RoseAnn and all your family. I was sorry to see that Jim had been in failing health and of his passing. May God grant you strength and peace during this time. God Bless you all! Sincerely,
Claire Ann Wheeler Jim’s Classmate 1962
He was a wonderful man and will be missed greatly. I still laugh when I remember how he would sneak up behind people and make that loud cow call just to make them jump. He made the world a little brighter, and I feel very blessed to have known him.
I worked for the Nagel Brothers from 73-77. I worked with Jimmy alot. He has been a long distance telephone friend for years. I can tell some stories. Some I could post and some better left unsaid. I'm very sorry for your loss and there is a place in my heart that will always remember him.
My Dad Willard told a story when they would do honor guard they were outside leaving the Legion club to depart for their occasion. Paul Maltaverne yelled halt and fired his gun ( loaded with blanks) Jim was some distance away his back to Paul, Jim dropped like a rock on instinct to the pavement…… he knew he had been had and came up laughing. Clowns lol
Sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was a fellow classmate of mine in the class of 1962