JoAnn Elizabeth (Fisher) Pagel

JoAnn Elizabeth (Fisher) Pagel, age 81, passed away on May 15, 2025, at Medical City Plano Hospital after a stroke. Her life reflected her love for God, family and her hometown of Muenster. JoAnn was born on Jan. 26, 1944, to Joe and Gertie Fisher. The youngest of four siblings, JoAnn grew up in a house catty- corner to Sacred Heart Church. With that proximity, she soaked up the graces of those church bells ringing as the soundtrack to her childhood. JoAnn learned her work ethic by sacking groceries and stocking shelves at Fischer’s store from a young age. In school she was an all-star -- not just the valedictorian of the MHS Class of ’62 and captain of the basketball team, but also voted “Friendliest Girl,” the honor she was proudest of. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with a minor in English from North Texas State University in 1965. She and John Pagel were married on June 11, 1966, at Sacred Heart Church. They raised their four children in the house across the alley from JoAnn’s parents. In addition to being a wife and mother, JoAnn taught at Sacred Heart School during the 1970s and then for several decades at Muenster Junior High and Muenster High School. Her subjects were P.E., language arts class and driver’s education. For many years she’d wake up way before sunrise every day to get in her 3-mile walk before school. JoAnn was organized about grading papers, keeping the house immaculately clean, making fresh-squeezed orange juice every day, and still finding time to cheer on her kids in their activities. She created routines to keep things running smoothly at home. For example, JoAnn’s breakfast rotation when the kids were growing up: cereal on Mondays, French toast on Tuesdays, eggs on Wednesdays, oatmeal on Thursdays and pancakes on Fridays. It goes to show she was a planner and a stickler for routine. After she retired, JoAnn remained a fan of the local school teams. She cared deeply about the community, and she set a good example of citizenship. Every Wednesday she could be found volunteering at the Muenster Library. One of her tasks was chasing down overdue books and fines, earning her the nickname “The Collector.” She and John regularly picked up and sorted the food donations for the Sacred Heart Outreach. She had outstanding energy and commitment. Nothing made JoAnn happier than spending time with her family. She was the grandma who loved to bake cookies, color Easter eggs and play games. She was always ready to provide a good meal, help with homework, or a sympathetic shoulder to cry on. She’d travel anywhere to root for her grandkids at a tennis tournament, volleyball or basketball game, cheer competition, Boy Scout ceremony, graduation etc. She welcomed guests to her home with food, fresh sheets and unconditional love. JoAnn’s favorite decorating technique was to hang a new photo of her grandkids on the wall. She prayed daily for all her family members by name. Like Gertie Fisher before her, JoAnn took the short walk to morning Mass as often as possible. She always sat in a pew close to the front. The Catholic faith was not just a part of her life, but her very identity, and she loved the Lord joyfully. She liked to wake up her sleeping kids and grandchildren by singing “Rise, and shine, and give God the glory glory.” While her singing voice wasn’t great, she was praising God to start the day. And thanks to JoAnn, the Pagel family prays a Hail Mary as part of the food blessing at mealtimes. That Hail Mary tradition has been passed on to the next generation due to JoAnn’s influence of devotion and prayerfulness. She had 19 ACTS shirts hanging in her closet and a different rosary for every day of the week. It was hard to keep up with all of her church-related activities. Some of JoAnn’s favorite things included a cup of hot tea in the afternoon; girls’ trips and get-togethers with her friends from high school; sitting at her backyard grotto; any song by John Denver; and traveling to the mountains and hiking along a quiet trail. Her family will treasure memories such as: Clean the house on Saturday morning and go to church that evening. Food scraps go to the garden. Never waste anything. JoAnn would faithfully send handwritten birthday cards. She’d wash dishes by hand because the dishwasher wasn’t good enough. Her smile was sweet and her laugh contagious. She was unrelentingly dedicated to whatever she thought was right. She had a gift for seeing everyone as the best version of themselves. JoAnn wanted to serve God each and every day while helping those around her do so as well. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Rosary and Vigil were held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 also at the church. Preceding her in death were her parents, Joe and Gertie Fisher; her brother Jimmy Fisher; and her parents-in-law Jerome and Gertie Pagel. Survivors are her husband, John Pagel; sons Joe Pagel (Laura) and Mike Pagel (Brenda); daughters Jean Yaeger (David) and Dianne Endres (Jason); and grandchildren Allison, Abby, Katie, Caroline, Samuel, Jacob, Julia, Jensen, Colby, Reece, Gavin and Erica; and great-grandchildren Everett, Dulyn and Knox; sister Theresa Walterscheid; and brother Neil Fisher. Thank you to the Muenster Volunteer Fire Department and paramedics who came to her aid when she had the stroke. Thank you to Father Hoodenpyle for his compassionate spiritual support. Thank you to her friends, former students, neighbors and fellow parishioners for being part of JoAnn’s journey. We’re saddened by her passing but are consoled by the tremendous outpouring of your love.

JoAnn Elizabeth (Fisher) Pagel

January 26, 1944 - May 15, 2025