Helen M Pagel

Mrs. Helen M. Pagel, 96, of Good Samaritan Home in Quincy, IL, passed away at 6:10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the home.

Born June 24, 1928, in Coatsburg, IL, Helen was the daughter of William and Minnie Heins Sprenger. She married Wilfred A. Pagel on November 23, 1968, in Cedar Rapids, IA. He preceded her in death on May 12, 2010. Following her husband’s passing, Helen moved to the Good Samaritan Cottages in 2012 and later to the Good Samaritan Home in 2023.

Helen graduated from Mendon High School in 1946. She earned her B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, in June 1955, attending Wartburg during two separate periods: 1946–48 and 1954–55. She also pursued further studies at the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls), Union Theological Seminary (New York, NY), the University of Iowa (Iowa City), and the University of Wisconsin (Oshkosh).

Mrs. Pagel was deeply passionate about the spiritual formation and education of children. She dedicated her life to teaching, beginning her career at Grace Lutheran School in Fort Wayne, IN, where she taught grades 4–8 from 1948–49. She then taught grades 5–6 at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Waverly, IA, from 1949–54 and again from 1955–60. From 1960–61, she taught grades 4–6 in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. From 1961–71, she served as Director of Education at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids.

In 1973, Helen accepted a substitute teaching position in the Fond du Lac School District in Wisconsin. She served as a long-term substitute at Roberts Grade School, teaching grades 5–6, and later worked part-time at Woodworth Junior High School during the 1975–76 school year. In February 1978, she was appointed Gifted and Talented Consultant for the Fond du Lac School District, initially on a part-time basis. The role expanded to full-time in 1980. She also contributed to the district’s Gifted and Talented summer workshops in 1979 and 1980.

Helen had a deep love for travel, spending three months in Europe and three weeks in South America, in addition to traveling extensively throughout the United States.

Her faith and family were the cornerstones of her life. A lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, Helen served as a Dean and was active in pastoral search committees.

Survivors include her brother, Donald Sprenger (Rosann) of Coatsburg, IL; many beloved nieces and nephews: W. Denton Sprenger (Amy) of Coatsburg; Dana Trantor (Mark) of Fowler, IL; Joy Klues (Jeff) of Mendon, IL; Bryan Sprenger of Tacoma, WA; Robyn Sprenger of Springfield, IL; David Zimmerman (Georgene) of Quincy, IL; Wayne Zimmerman (Julia) of Camp Point, IL; Barbara James (Jack) of Mackinaw, IL; Rick Zimmerman of Quincy; Judy Selsor of Savannah, MO; Karen Thompson (Craig) of Joplin, MO; Carolyn Zimmerman of Golden, IL; Sherri Zimmerman of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; Kristen Sprenger of Fairfax, VA; Mike Pagel (Lara) of Amherst, WI; and Karen Thornton of Sun Prairie, WI, and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sisters, Elda Zimmerman (Fred) and Ruth Sprenger; her brothers, Harold Sprenger (Juanita) and Robert Sprenger (Carolyn); her nephews Gary, Robert, Bill, and Dennis Zimmerman; her niece Sandy Zimmerman; and her great-nephew Garrett Sprenger.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church, 333 S. 36th St., Quincy, officiated by Rev. Daniel Grainger. Private burial will take place at Gray Cemetery, Coatsburg.

Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, or Gray Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.hamiltonfuneralhomes.net.

Arrangements are being handled by the Lummis Hamilton Funeral Home in Camp Point.