Thelma Nagel

Thelma C. Nagel of Hudson, WI, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2019 at Red Cedar Canyon Senior Living in Hudson after living for several years with dementia. Thelma was born on May 8, 1926 in El Centro, CA, to Lyle and Anna Crumrine, and graduated from Central Union High School at the top of her class in 1943. After high school Thelma worked as an executive secretary in the Los Angeles area. She married the love of her life, Fredrick Nagel, on November 26, 1955, in Englewood, CA. Their marriage was blessed with three children, LuAnne, Leslie, and Steven. Thelma and her family then moved to Fred’s hometown of Hudson, WI, in 1965 so that he could work at the family lumber business.

Thelma was quick to get involved in the community and became a member of multiple clubs and organizations holding many leadership positions. These included the Garden Club, the Hudson Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, the Hudson Library, St. Croix Valley Arts Guild, St. Croix County Historical Society, the Girl Scouts Council of the St. Croix Valley Board of Directors, and PEO Chapter BJ Hudson. Thelma’s biggest passion was for art and music, and she was a longtime patron of the St. Croix Valley Arts Guild and The Phipps Center for the Arts, along with her husband. She and Fred were pipe organ enthusiasts and owned two pipe organs, one that Fred had restored/installed in their home and Thelma enjoyed playing. As a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hudson she served as an Elder, was a member of UPW, started and directed the Hand Bell choir, and was a founder of the Lenten Trysts. She also led the church in sponsoring a Hmong family’s move to and settlement in Hudson in the 1970’s.

Thelma will remain in the hearts of her children: LuAnne (Paul) Larson of Hudson, Leslie (James) Kiley of Roseville, MN, and Steven (Katy) Nagel of Hudson; grandchildren: Benjamin Larson of Minneapolis, MN, Andrew (Lindsay) Larson of Hudson, WI, Bethany Larson of St. Paul, MN, and Collin Kiley of Roseville, MN; great-grandchildren, Kaylie Larson and Abel Hruska; brother Richard Crumrine, and a niece and nephews. She will reunite with her husband Fred in heaven, along with her parents and sister and brother-in-law Charles and Marion Thompson. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church Hudson, with a visitation from 10-11am. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to First Presbyterian Church and the Phipps Center for the Arts. Thelma’s family would like to express special thanks to the caregivers of RCC Cedar Cove Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice.