06 November

Genevra, John, Dad, Phil, Susan, Anne...June 2016

THOMAS EUGENE NAGELE
May 4, 1923 to Nov 6, 2016

I have two tires with dirt and plants in them on the roof landing where I live.  They have been producing big tomatoes and several squash these past few weeks. The plants just grow out of the compost.  Such abundance is unusual.  This morning at 5am I went to water the plants and found a small white lily had bloomed...a bit unusual since it is so dry.  And now, six hours later I have learned that my father has gone back to God.

Dad and Steve
Nagele Reunion July 2015

     Dad grew up on a farm in Sheldon Illinois but he left to become a dentist and raise his family in Urbana Illinois a couple of hours away from the farm.  I would often go with him on weekends to visit and I would spend a couple of weeks each summer at Grandma Nagele's as Grandpa had passed on when I was very little.  I loved being in the country, watching the fields fill up with food.  The land was flat as a pancake but it was beautiful because it was part of our home.

     When Dad retired he rarely spoke of dentistry again.  He always spoke about the crops, listened to the farm report and went up to visit whenever he could.  So it seems good to have a white lily blooming among the tomatoes and squash this morning to honor him.

     Dad cherished his family and we had several Nagele reunions, the last in July 2015, which he was able to attend.  We all enjoyed ourselves immensely.  Dad also valued education, especially of girls.  I remember him telling me I could do anything I wanted to do.  And I have...with his help.  I will travel to Illinois in a couple of days to be with my family, cherish our memories and lay him to rest, now that he is happy with God.  May he rest in peace.

Mom and Dad with the soy beans
They were married for over 61 years.