Mary Ellen (Leach) Pagel, age 91, of New London, WI, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Appleton, WI. Mary was born on August 7, 1931, in Neenah, WI to the late Sherburn and Sally (Klavitter) Leach. Mary graduated from Menasha High School in 1949 and was First Chair Clarinet in the school band.

Mary met Ken Pagel on a "blind date." Six months later, on September 12, 1953, they were married, at Neenah Trinity Lutheran Church and were happily married for 69 wonderful years. After retirement, Mary and Ken would enjoy three-month long vacations in the south in the winter to escape the cold.

Mary was a typesetter at Graphic Composition Inc. in Menasha. She was also a homemaker, raising their five children, Michael, Thomas, Daniel, Laurie and Douglas.Mary loved puzzles, the Green Bay Packers, bird watching and ginger snaps with her morning coffee. She loved to knit, even knitting Barbie clothes. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends from school once a month, but what she loved most was spending time with her family, especially her grandkids. Mary had a fantastic memory and never forgot a birthday or a name.

Mary is survived by her loving husband, Ken Pagel, and four of their children, Thomas (Debbie) Pagel, Daniel (Lisa) Pagel, Laurie Pagel and Douglas (Karen Lytie) Pagel. She is further survived by nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Sherburn and Naysel Leach; her son, Michael David; her brother, Jim Leach, and her sister, Shirley Newman.

Mary's family would like to thank the staff at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Compassus Hospice and Pastor Rodrigue, of Grace Lutheran Church in Sugar Bush, for the care and compassion shown to their loved one.