Obit: Pagel, Ronald (1956 - 1978)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Pagel , Lulloff, Lewandowski, Olson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/07/1978

Pagel, Ronald (3 August 1956 – 4 September 1978)

A rural Thorp man died late Monday evening after the motorcycle he was riding collided with a cow on County N 3 1/2 miles southwest of Thorp. Living only 20 minutes after arrival at Victory Memorial Hospital, Stanley, was Ronald F. Pagel, 22, Rt. 3 Thorp.

According to Robert Lulloff, Clark County Coroner, Pagel was diving his motorcycle west on the county road when the 1:00 p.m. accident occurred. His machine collided with a black cow standing on the road way, the color of the animal is believed to have contributed to the accident. Pagel was thrown eleven feet from the point of impact and the motorcycle landed on top of him. The cow, which was killed in the collision, landed about 34 feet from the point of impact, Lulloff reported.

Pagel, who was wearing a helmet, died at 11:55 p.m. at the Stanley hospital, suffering from a basal skull fracture. He also had a fracture of the right arm and lacerations. The animal was owned by Vernon Lewandowski, Rt. 3, Thorp.

Funeral services for Pagel were to be held this Thursday, September 7, from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Thorp with the Rev. Robert Olson officiating. Burial was to be made in the East Thorp Cemetery.