Mike Nagel Jr.

Mike M Nagel Jr., age 84, passed away unexpectedly at his home on March 18, 2025, in Bismarck, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 AM on Friday, April 11, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 825 E. Broadway Ave, Bismarck.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-7:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2230Tyler Parkway, Bismarck with a Vigil Prayer Service starting at 7:00 PM.

Burial will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Mike was born on August 27, 1940, at his home in Linton, ND, to Mike M Nagel Sr. and Bertha Nagel. He graduated from St. Anthony High School, May of 1958, where he enjoyed playing basketball.

Mike met his best friend and soulmate, Ellen Paul, and they married on September 29, 1962, at Holy Trinity Church in Linton, ND. They enjoyed dancing, baking and spending time with friends. Soon after, Mike and Ellen traveled across the US during his involvement with the U.S. military. Mike served in the Army SPC – 1st, 2nd and 3rd Platoons 896th ENGR Company as a Bridge Specialist from 1959 and was honorably discharged on October 31, 1965. He received a sharpshooter award. Throughout his military career, Mike served in Kuwait and the Berlin Crisis.

In 1963, they moved to Cheyanne, Wyoming. Mike and Ellen welcomed their first child, Lisa Maschell, who was born on January 14, 1965. In 1966, they made the move back to North Dakota to the family farmstead where he farmed and ranched. He received the honors of the Third Degree of the Knights of Columbus on November 17, 1968, in Linton, ND. On May 27, 1968, they welcomed their second child, Glenn Michael. Mike and Ellen were their children’s number one fans and were always on the sidelines of their sporting events throughout high school, college and adult life.

In 1977, they moved to Linton, where he operated the Bottle Shoppe. They moved to Bismarck in 1988. He went to school at BSC for power plant technology from 1988 to 1990. He then went to work for CEDA Inc. in Mandan, ND until retirement. Although he didn’t fully retire, Mike went on to drive the school bus for Harlow’s and enjoyed visiting with the kids each day.

A short time later they moved to Cattail Bay where he spent lots of summer days fishing and tending to his beautiful garden and trees. Mike enjoyed farming, tinkering in the garage, golfing, watching John Wayne western movies and watching sports on TV. His favorites were the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Timber Wolves. He also enjoyed baking with Ellen and giving her a hard time. It was important to Mike to stay in touch with loved ones as he made daily phone calls to check in and visit. Mike and Ellen moved back to Bismarck on February 26, 2021. They loved being closer to their family. Mike led a remarkable life filled with dedication to his family and service to our country.

His life will forever be cherished in the lives of his children; one daughter, Lisa Forsberg (Jeffrey), Bismarck, ND and one son, Glenn Nagel (Mary Ann Bunczak), Stillwater, MN; three sisters, Lucy, Rosemary, Phyllis; seven grandchildren, Hailey Wiedrich (Dustin), Hazen, ND, Justin Bannister, Hazen, ND, McKenzie Forsberg, and TrisTa Forsberg, Mandan, ND, Quintin Nagel (Lucy), Hopkins, MN, and Dawson Nagel, Stillwater, MN; four great grandchildren, Jayden Forsberg (20), Grand Forks, ND, Kennedy Wiedrich (10), Gunner Wiedrich (1), and Beau Wiedrich (4 months) all of Hazen, ND.

He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Ellen; parents, Michael M Nagel and Bertha; six brothers, Max, Frank, Matt, Eugene, Issadore, Joseph; four sisters, Anna, Rosina, Regina, Darlene; one grandchild, CeJae Forsberg; along with many nieces and nephews.