Donovan William Nagel

MADISON- Donovan William Nagel, age 84, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2012, at his home. He was born on Oct. 13, 1927, in Kandiyohi, Minn., the son of William and Rose (Vandermeer) Nagel. He married Helen Shirley Zandstra on March 19, 1951. A graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., he was a manager at Montgomery Ward on State Street in Madison, and retired from WMTV in Madison as an advertising executive. He was awarded a patent on his invention, the Carpetsaw, in 1965. He was a member of Lake Edge UCC in Madison. Donovan enjoyed growing tulips and other beautiful flowers, feeding birds on his back porch, tinkering with all sorts of mechanical devices, crafting with wood, listening to classical music, reading good literature, visiting Elderhostels, and debating politics. His humor, stories and lively mind will be greatly missed. He is survived by his daughters, Shelley (Norman) Selle of Madison, Susan (Steve) Lawrence, and Mary Lynn (Robert) Klein; six grandchildren, Andrew (Deanna), Lawrence and William Klein, Sarah (Joshua Moran) and Jeffrey Hartman, and Anna Lawrence; his brother, Douglas Nagel; and other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; and his very dear friend, Helen “Schatzi” Navarre. Memorial services will be held at LAKE EDGE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 4200 Buckeye Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2012, with Pastor Lex Liberatore presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, and a time of fellowship will follow the service. Memorials may be made to the Madison Public Library Foundation or Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. A memorial service will be held at LAKE EDGE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 4200 Buckeye Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2012.