James Nagel

James Leo Nagel

Crohn’s didn’t get me. Cancer didn’t get me. ALS got me.

Jim graduated from Cretin High School and the University of Minnesota School of Journalism. He worked for the St. Paul Pioneer Press & Dispatch for 39 years, starting as a “copy boy”. He was a reporter, columnist and photographer covering the Neighborhoods Area Section as “The North Wind” and “The South Wind” and retired as an editor. Even in retirement, Jim never really lost that tenacity for catching errors! He and Mary, his wife, enjoyed great adventures, traveling with family and friends. He enjoyed being with family, photography, the outdoors and music. Jim loved being the guy behind the camera and left behind a gazillion slides for the family to go through, most of which were multiple shots of the same flower or bug, or bug on the flower. He actually built a couple musical instruments and played the hammered dulcimer, which is a mythical instrument to most people, so he also spent a significant amount of time showing strangers pictures and videos and playing recordings to enlighten them. Jim and his good friend and partner, Chuck Boody, played music every chance they got – weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, garden tours, in orchards and on street corners. They played whenever and wherever they could. Due to ALS, he really missed hiking and biking.

Jim was preceded in death by parents, Lawrence and Ann (Adrian) Nagel and brother, Richard Nagel. He is survived by his wife, Mary, son, Mark (Tammy), grandson, Mitchell (Alyssa), granddaughter, Rachel (Bryce), brothers, Leo (Carol) Nagel and Larry (Krysia) Nagel, nieces, nephews and grandnieces.

A Mass will be held on Thursday, August 4, at 11:00 AM at Bradshaw Funeral Home, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd, Stillwater, MN 55082. Please join us for “eats & treats” following the mass.

The family would be honored if Jim was remembered with memorials to the ALS Foundation, 1919 University Avenue W, Suite 175, St. Paul, Minnesota 55104 or Feed My Starving Children, 401 93rd Avenue, Coon Rapids, Minnesota 55433.

Special thank you to all his prayer warriors, especially Mary and Maggie, the Mayo Clinic/St. Mary’s Hospital, Dr. Guliani and staff at HealthPartners ALS Clinic, ALS Foundation, LifeSpark Home Health and steadfast family and friends who helped us on this journey.