Alexander Nagel Jr., 74, passed away at Ponderosa Care Center in Billings after battling health problems for several years.
Alex was born in Billings, Mont., on March 17, 1934, to Alexander Sr. And Catherine (Pauly) Nagel. He attended school in Billings and in 1951 enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in Korea, his squadron re c e ived the Presidential Citation. After being honorably discharged in 1954, Alex was a meat cutter for a retail store and Midland Packing Company. In 1955 he married Marilyn Bennett and they had three sons. Upon receiving hi s appointment as a state meat inspector, he and his family moved to Havre. Alex received his GED and later attended barber school and opened his own barbershop in Havre in 1980. He operated this shop until he retired in 2003. In 2004, he and his wife moved to Helena to be near two of their sons. Alex loved his family dearly and was extremely proud that each of his boys earned college degrees. In his younger days, Alex enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing cards. He was past master of Havre Lodge No.51 and Enterprise Lodge No 134; past patron five times of Havre Chapter No. 31 Order of the Eastern Star and past patron eight times of Northern Star No. 23, Order of the Eastern Star Chinook. He held life memberships in The Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter R. A.M. of Montana, and the Masonic Lodge of Montana. Of these Masonic organizations, he enjoyed Eastern Star the most. He also holds a life membership in VFW Post 497, Havre. Alex was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, an infant sister, Dorothy (Clarence) Sider, and brother Donald. Survivors include Marilyn Nagel of Helena; three sons, Timothy of Billings, Paul of Helena, and David (Anita) of Helena; two grandsons, Nicolaus of Fort Mead, Md., and Angelo of Helena; a sister, Betty (Bert) Degenhart; and brothers Richard (Ann) Nagel; Jim (Donna) Nagel; sister-inlaw Myrna Hill, all of Billings and numerous nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and family services and burial will be in Helena at a later date. Memorial donations can be sent to the Shrine Hospital in care of the Sapphire Temple No. 79, P.O. Box 96, Helena, MT 59624-0096.
