GETTYSBURG, SD – James A. Nagel, 81, of Gettysburg, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Billings Clinic Hospital, Billings, MT.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 30, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg, with Fr. Brian Simon presiding. Burial will follow in Pembroke Cemetery, rural Hoven, with military honors. Wake service will be 4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the church, with visitation one-hour prior.
James, son of John Adam Nagel and Rose (Brincks) Nagel Meyers and stepson of Laverne Meyers, was born May 23, 1944, in Gettysburg, SD. He attended Gettysburg High School and South Dakota State University. He served as a United States Army Sergeant in the Vietnam War from September 1967-1968. He married his lifetime partner and bride, Rose Ann (Opitz) Nagel, on November 13, 1982. Rose Ann is the daughter of Melvin and RosaLee Opitz from Eden, SD.
Apart from his time in the service, Jim dedicated his life working on and developing the Nagel family farm. He fondly described his occupation of farming and ranching as professional gambling. He loved to talk about the amount it rained and always humbly accepted God’s plans for the seasons. He was passionate about the land and animals. Jim was a longtime parishioner of Gettysburg’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Over the years, Jim was actively involved in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Right to Life, and was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. Jim served on the Honor Guard for 56 years.
Before marriage, Jim earned his pilot certificate and often told stories of his adventures that involved flying. He had many roles and answered to multiple names: Husband, Brother, Dad, Uncle Jimmy, Hooknose while in the service, and Grandpa Jim. His family became his most important pride and priority, which included many “adopted” family members. He loved to bring laughter wherever he went with humor, banter, and giving his famous calf bellar. One of his greatest joys was riding and caring for his horses. A deep, simple love of family, God, and country embodied Jim’s heart.
James is survived by his wife, Rose Ann; children: Adam, Paul, Sarah (husband Seth), Alex (wife Elizabeth), and Beth (fiancé Caleb); grandchildren: Isaac, Jacob, and Boston McGill (Sarah and Seth) and Maria, Veronica, and Chiara Nagel (Alex and Elizabeth); brother, Herman (Becky) Nagel; sister, Irma (Tom) LeFaive; as well as many extended family including cousins, nieces, and nephews that he cherished.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Rose and stepfather, Laverne; brothers: Eugene, Leonard, Arnie, and Larry; and father and mother-in-law, Melvin and RosaLee Opitz.
The family requests that memorials be directed to Midwest Honor Flight, PO Box 22, Sioux Center, IA 51250. https://www.midwesthonorflight.org/donate.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Jim’s arrangements.

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