William A. Nagel

William A. Nagel, 76, of Apple Valley passed away on April 9, 2026. After graduating from Maine West High School in Des Plaines, IL, he attended Macalester College on a football scholarship and graduated from Augsburg University with a degree in psychology. He married his high school sweetheart Laura in 1988 and took on his greatest role as stepfather to John and Jenny Kozubik. Bill loved his five grandchildren, delighted in their accomplishments, and enjoyed spending time with them. Bill’s life and accomplishments were a testament to his courage and resilience. His careers spanned the gamut, from acting at the Guthrie to training manager for the Minnesota Department of Corrections. In between, he trained Honeywell sales reps both nationally and abroad, was an instructor for Wilson Learning, and lead Culture Change at Banta Publishing. He enjoyed a respectable round of golf with his life-long college friends, Sunday afternoon football, and weekend coffee gatherings with his neighbors. He could quote from many of the books he read, especially Vonnegut, and could discuss WWII in detail. He was insightful, perceptive, honest, and fair; with a sense of humor that could be both witty and dark. His greatest accomplishment was raising his stepchildren to be educated, responsible adults, loving spouses, and nurturing parents. His fondest memories were summer vacations in the Boundary Waters where he instilled a love of the outdoors in them, and they in turn have raised his grandchildren to seek pleasure in nature. Bill is survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Laura; John and Shannon Kozubik and their children, John Thomas, Katherine, and Benedict; Jenny and Drew Keto and their children, Anna and Sara; sister, Kathy Collet; sister-in-law, Portia Nagel; nephew, Grant Collet; nieces, Kaitlyn Collet and Mercedes (Patrick) Murtaugh; and great-nephew, Kase Collet. He is preceded in death by his grandson, Alexander Kozubik; mother, Betty King Barajas; brothers, Kurt and Dennis Nagel; and nephew, Sean Nagel. Memorial Service at 12:00pm on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Starkson Family ~ Anderson Chapel, 14850 Garrett Ave., Apple Valley, with visitation and refreshment to begin at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be given to University of Minnesota Acute Rehab Center Fund in honor of Bill Nagel.