December 2 2021
Obituary Douglas James Nagel, ran into the arms of Jesus on December 2, 2021. He was born to William and Rose (Vander Meer) Nagel on April 1, 1932 in Kandiyohi, Minnesota. His family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1949. He graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High and Calvin College, where he met beloved lifelong friends. It was during this time that he met and married Lois DeHaan. They enjoyed a deeply loving marriage full of joy and great memories. On December 17, 2021, they would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. He started working as a young boy on a farm. He was blessed with a strong work ethic, a keen mind and an entrepreneur spirit. He started and was involved in several businesses throughout his life, his primary Business being Nagel Construction (underground construction/”ditch digger”) and developing and expanding Lincoln Pines Resort. Some of his most satisfying projects were his involvement in building Sunlight Community Church in Port St. Lucie, Florida and building the Nagel Chapel at Wedgewood Christian Services. He served as an elder at Seymour Christian Reformed Church, on the board at Pine Rest Christian Hospital and later at Hope Network. He thoroughly enjoyed the wonders of the Great Creator, enjoying the simple pleasure of watching God’s creatures and beautiful sunsets, reclining back in his wheelchair with the sun on his face, and driving his golf cart through the woods at Lincoln Lake. He spent hours gazing at Lois’s beautiful garden that he so admired with pride. He was a man of great faith, who lived with physical challenges due to polio at age 17, and had a great compassion for those with physical, mental and emotional challenges. He was a man of courage, compassion, generosity and a great source of encouragement. His greatest joys were his dear wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as his large extended network of wonderful caring friends. He was deeply grateful for the tender, loving care of his beloved and devoted wife. Throughout their years together, he never ceased to express his profound appreciation and love for her. He is predeceased by his brothers and sisters-in-laws Calvin (Elaine) Nagel, Roger Nagel, Donavan (Helen) Nagel, and brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-law Kay (Charles) Burchard, Janet (Bill) VandeKeift –(Al) Veen, Karl (Helen) DeHaan, Anne (Dennis) Dick, Howard (Verna) DeHaan, Frank (Betty) DeHaan, Helen (Gene) Rykse, Carolyn DeHaan, Dave Grant, Jim (Pat) DeHaan and great-granddaughter Kailyn Nagel. He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife Lois Arlene (DeHaan), children Julie Nagel, Joni (Tom) DeFouw, Jim (Deb) Nagel and Jan (Peter) Malek, his grandchildren James (Amanda) Nagel, Tami (Andy) Zylstra, Matt (Erin) DeFouw, Anna (Dave) Hartley, Kyle DeFouw, Betsy Nagel, Megan (Josh) Depew, Rena Malek, Evan Malek, and Eli Malek, thirteen great grand children, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law John DeHaan, Marilyn Grant, and Bob and Ginny DeHaan. Visitation and viewing will be held from 4-7pm on Wednesday, December 8 at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Thursday, December 9 at Seymour CRC 840 Alger St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507, with visitation one hour prior to the service. The service will also be available via live-stream at seymourchurch.org/doug-nagel-service. The family requests that masks be worn at the visitation and funeral. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Wedgwood Christian Services – Nagel Chapel 3300 36th St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Douglas James Nagel December 2 2021.
Death notice for the town of: Grand Rapids, state: Michigan