Barbara (Pagel) Stromswold age 86 formerly of Madison and Amiret passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at Pathstone Assisted Living in Mankato.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Tracy Area Funeral Home.

Visitation is 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and will continue one hour prior to services on Saturday. Interment is in Amiret Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Barbara was born May 26, 1926 to Jacob and Kathryn (Fiet) Zimmerman in Rugby, ND. After the death of her parents she was adopted by Lester and Evelyn Day. Barbara attended school in North Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. Barbara married Raymond Pagel in 1947. They lived in the Amiret area, Springfield, New Ulm, and Appleton. Ray and Barbara had four children: Linda, Stuart, Lois Kay, and Ronald. Raymond passed away in 1982. In 1987 Barbara married Lester Stromswold and lived in rural Bellingham. After Lester’s death Barbara moved to Madison. In 2010 she moved to Mankato and made her home with Stuart. Barbara moved to Pathstone Assisted Living in November of 2012. She was a wife, mother, and homemaker. Barbara enjoyed visiting with friends and family and “chewing the fat”. She was living proof that a smile was far better than a scowl!

Barbara is survived by sons Stuart of Mankato and Ronald of Tulsa; daughter Lois Kay of Morris; brother-in-law Chester (Joan) Stromswold; and many nephews, nieces, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands Raymond and Lester, daughter Linda, brothers Cecil, Jack, Leo, and Philip, sister Kay Hillsberry, and many brothers and sisters-in-law. A special thanks to Dan and Linda for all the years they helped with Mom, and to Paul and Audrey for their love and support.