Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – NORTH Chapel. There will be a private memorial later.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Linda Pagel; sons, Matthew (Edreena Browne), Justin, Zachary (Nissa Herberg) Pagel, Karl (Molly) Pagel; grandchildren, Max Pagel, August (Nikki Ryan) Pagel, Landon Tibbs, Rowen Courneya, Jessica Pagel, Amelia Pagel; great-grandson, Zane; sisters Carolyn Colvin, Kathy Kadlec, Connie Burt; and brother Duane Bierlein.

He is preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Huxley Ruger Pagel; and his beloved dog, Pilsner.

Jerry was born February 7, 1948, to Paul and Ordella (Boelter) Pagel in St. Paul, MN. Jerry graduated from New Ulm High School and attended Mankato State University. He then enlisted in the US Marine Corp and was honorably discharged in 1969.

Jerry was united in marriage to Linda Anderson on August 30, 1975, in the Schell’s Brewery garden in New Ulm. Most of his professional life Jerry worked in sales and marketing. He was a salesman at New Ulm Motors, which he later owned and operated as Pagel Ford Lincoln Mercury Inc. He then founded Pike Driving School until selling the business to retire in 2009.

His desire to give back to the community led him to serve on various New Ulm commissions including human rights, park, police and safety. At the state level Jerry was involved with the School Bus Safety Advisory Council and Crime Victims and Protections Commission.

Jerry played baseball for New Ulm High School and the New Ulm Legion teams. In 1966 he began playing outfield for the New Ulm Millers and played for three years. In two of those years the team played in the state tournament. In 2004, Jerry was inducted into the New Ulm Baseball Hall of Fame for his time as the manager of the Kaiserhoff baseball team from 1985-1988. He later served as an assistant coach for the Kaiserhoff in 1990 and 1993. He also coached high school baseball and youth hockey.

His other lifelong hobbies included hunting and fishing, which he shared with his sons and grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by those who knew him. Blessed be his memory.

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