Nagel, Gordon "Gordy" LuVerne 1941 - 2021

NAGEL, TOPNESS, MAYFIELD, HARVEY, DIETZENBACH, RINNELS, RODENZ, KILCOYNE, WINTER, KRATZ

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:23

Gordon 'Gordy' LuVerne Nagel, age 88, of Lime Springs passed away in the home that he was born, on Tuesday April 13, 2021 surrounded by his family following a short battle with cancer.

Gordon was born on September 9th, 1932 and farmed with his father. At the age of 21, Gordon spent two years in the Army during the Korean War. After returning from the Army, Gordy married Janet Topness of Lanesboro and they bought the home farm from his Dad. They had 3 children and were later divorced.

Gordy was a great friend and neighbor. He grew up next to the Upper Iowa River, but we cannot remember even one time seeing him pick up a fishing pole. Early in Gordy's life, his passion was horses. We can’t begin to count how many horses he had throughout the years. He loved breaking, riding and training, especially his draft horses. It was not uncommon to drive by his farm in the winter and see the draft horses hitched up in front of his sleigh manure spreader by the barn, while his tractor sat in the shed. Gordy also raised peacocks and people from the surrounding area would take a Granger road trip to see them. He enjoyed snowmobiling and going dancing at the Playmore Ballroom in Rochester. Gordy also had an obsession with billy goats. It was not uncommon for him to borrow them from a neighbor and they would somehow end up tied to a neighbor’s tree/post or the Granger school flag pole. He was the instigator of many pranks in the neighborhood. Gordy also attended the annual meetings at the Ponderosa, where we believe he was deer hunting but there may have been other activities there. Gordy also hosted Sunday morning coffee services with the neighbors and Friday date night with longtime friend, Irene Aarre of Preston, MN.

Later in life, Gordy purchased a brand new 4-wheeler. He would make his daily trip around the farm and then proceed to his neighborhood watch duties. It’s well noted by the 12,060 miles that he put on. To put that in perspective, he drove across the United States east to west 4 times. It didn't matter where you were, and you may not have even seen Gordy, but you knew he was there, because of the famous 'Nagel Laugh'.

Gordy was a great dad. He taught his kids to be independent, respect your elders and if you want things in your life, you have to get your hands dirty and work for it.

Gordy was a great Grandpa. He loved it when his grandkids would come to visit. He always had snacks/treats and would play with them on the floor, take them for a 4-wheeler ride down by the river. His favorite was to hold them tight in his lap.

Gordon is survived by his three children, Jerry (Deb) Nagel of Cresco, Cindy (Mike) Mayfield of Cresco and Tammy Harvey of Ridgeway, five grandchildren; Joey (Mckenzie) Dietzenbach of Cresco, Sami (Robert) Rinnels of Cresco, Chance Rodenz of Lime Springs, Jett (Cheyenne) Rodenz of Ridgeway and John (Emily) Kilcoyne of Ankeny, five great-grandchildren, Leah Rinnels, Kaylee Rinnels, Rowen Rodenz, Franklin Kilcoyne and one on the way, a brother, George (Diane) Nagel of Stewartville, and a sister-in-law Leona Nagel of Spring Valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Marie Nagel, two brothers; Russell Nagel of Harmony and Newton (Deloris) Nagel of Rochester. two sisters; Eunice (Charlie) Winter of Wykoff and Frankie (Elmer) Kratz of Miami, FL, two nephews, Gary (Cheryl) Nagel of Red Wing and Kirk Kratz of Miami and a niece, Nancy Kratz of Miami.

It was Gordy's wish not to have any type of funeral service and to remember him for the person he was. Please send memorials, 'In Memory of Gordon Nagel', to Howard County Community Hospice 235 8th Ave W, Cresco, IA 52136.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database