"Doris was a champion for library services for children. She made the rest of us more steadfast in our vocations because she believed unreservedly in the right of all children to have the best education we can provide, in the classroom, library and community. Minnesota was fortunate to benefit from her vision which she combined with personal commitment and hard work. While she could be critical, she was never judgmental - except of some politicains and football coaches - and instead offered her opinion as inspiration for the rest of us to do a better job. She spoke often to me about her family in and around Rochester and enjoyed everyones accomplishments and appreciated their helpfulness. It seems to me, Doris lived lightly on this earth, giving more to others than she required for herself. She was a great friend and I will miss her always. Mary Ann"
In loving memory of
Doris B. Pagel
February 19, 1928 - January 17, 2006
Doris B. Pagel, 77, of Rochester and Professor Emeritus, Mankato State University, died Tuesday at Rochester Methodist Hospital.
Miss Pagel was born February 19, 1928 in rural St. Charles to Paul and Anna Pagel. She graduated from St. Charles High School in 1945 and later earned academic degrees from the Universities of Minnesota, Illinois and Nebraska. Her early library work was in the Sioux City, Iowa Public Library, the University of Minnesota Law Library and the Rochester Public Library. In August 1959 Miss Pagel joined the faculty at Minnesota State University, Mankato and retired as a Professor of Library Media Education in June of 1987.
During her professional career, Dr. Pagel held many committee assignments and elected offices in regional, state and national organizations, including that of serving as President of the Minnesota Association of School Librarians, 1975-76. In 1977 she co-founded the Friends of the Minnesota Valley Regional Library Organization. In 1992 she moved from Mankato to Rochester where she spearheaded many of Minnesota Valley's projects. In 1979 she originated the Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award, a program designed to encourage children's voluntary reading. The program continues to be used in schools and libraries in Minnesota. During most of her professional career and into retirement, she promoted Minnesota authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults. She compiled and published informational directories about them in 1991 and 1997. She was recognized for her work in this area with the 1992 Kay Sexton Award, given by the Minnesota Center for the Book. In 1979 the Minnesota Library Association designated her "Librarian of the Year" noting her advocacy for library networking, and support of Friends of the Library organizations. The Alpha Chapter, University of Illinois, in 1965, bestowed on her membership in Beta Phi Mu, the honorary society of the Library Science profession.
Miss Pagel is survived by two sisters, Evelyn Fabian of Winona and Alice Abbott of Marshfield, WI, as well as several nieces and nephews. Three brothers and one sister preceded her in death.
Private family services will be held with Rev. Michael Hart of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in St. Charles officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, St. Charles. Please share a memory of Doris on her on-line guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tributes
"Doris will be missed as the wonderful teacher, friend and mentor that she was to so many. I had my first class with her in 1963 at Mankato State College while getting my school librarian certification. Over subsequent years, Doris was key in teaching and advising me as I gained my media generalist certification and my master??s degree in media. She honored many of us by calling us back to her classroom as ??experts in the field? to share with her current students what we were facing in the ??real world?, as she put it. Doris had the rare quality of leading a professional life dedicated to the study and teaching of librarianship, books and authors while at the same time showing that she cared about us as individuals"
"As an English major at ??Mankato State College? in the early 1960s, I only had the opportunity to attend one class taught by Doris. The fact that she stands out so clearly in my mind more than 40 years later among all the teachers I encountered is a tribute to her presence in the classroom. Put simply, I looked forward to attending each and every class session. What I remember most was her personal cheerfulness and her enthusiasm for the material. Those ingredients made it a pleasure, rather than a task, to learn. Her knowledge of the material and the clarity in which she presented it were exceptional. The encouragement and the individual attention Doris gave to every single student in that class made her a unique and very special teacher. Every student should be so fortunate as to experience a class with an instructor as was Doris Pagel."
"When I think of my library media classes at Mankato, the first name that comes to my mind is Doris Pagel. As a first year librarian at St. Charles I was amazed to find that she had ties to St. Charles. She was a wonderful advocate for children, reading and teaching. I will always have a very warm place in my heart for Doris. I will hear her voice and her laugh always."
"Doris was respected and loved by her students and friends at MNSU."
"Doris was AMAZING! She was a well spring of fresh innovative ideas and she had so many connections to authors and people on the production side of books that she could accomplish great things. She was integral in the Maud Hart Loveless award program among many other things. She also made others look good. For example, during my first year as a children's services consultant in Illinois, I was at a regional meeting where we were discussing the 1991 summer reading program and how perfect it would be to have Ann Jonas illustrate the materials. Someone in the group laughed; "Ann Jonas would never consent to doing something like this... she's almost impossible to even contact." I said, "I bet I can get her in two phone calls." I called Doris who had the info at her fingertips and who knew Ann personally. The second call was to Ann who was delighted with the whole idea. A decade later, when I was no longer even in the state, I got a call that the State Children's Librarianship was open in Illinois, and would I be interested in applying? When I asked why they even thought of calling me, they mentioned the summer reading program of 1991! The library world is a little emptier without her shining leadership and she will be missed."
"Doris was a special friend. We enjoyed her company! We got to know her on a personal level when she moved to Rochester and had a condo on the same floor as my mother. As students at Mankato State, we loved Dr. Pagel for the way she would "boldly go where no one feared to tread" when it came to new technologies. She personally took an interest in my star paper when my orginally assigned adviser was too busy. Doris was an amazing teacher and a woman to be admired. She cared about people and showed it! We will miss her love of life and learning. Colleen"
"At Christmas we received a hand written positive note from Doris. We are saddened at her passing which seems too early to us. She will be remembered as a trusted colleague and dedicated teacher. "