Wisconsin Ag Connection - Dairy Industry Giant John Pagel Dies in Plane Crash

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Dairy Industry Giant John Pagel Dies in Plane Crash
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 02/23/2018

The CEO of Wisconsin's largest single family-owned dairy operation is dead after being killed in a plane crash. John Pagel, 58, of Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy in Kewaunee was traveling with his son-in-law Steve Witcpalek and pilot Nathan Saari when the small Cessna aircraft went down in rural Indiana on Thursday evening. The crash happened about 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis.

"The Pagel and Witcpalek families are heartbroken over this tragic loss," the family said in a statement on Friday. "John and Steve were wonderful family men and dedicated dairymen who brought joy to the lives of so many people. They valued their community, loved their neighbors and lived life to the fullest. Although it's unimaginable to think of a future without them, we know that their loving spirit will guide us."

Pagel was serving as president of the Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, formerly known as the Dairy Business Milk Marketing Co-op. He was also a member of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Dairy Business Association, Kewaunee school board, Kewaunee County Board of Supervisors, and the Wisconsin Deer Management Control Council.

"This is a tremendous personal and professional loss for the Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative family," the group's board said in a statement. "John was a cherished friend and visionary leader who helped create the cooperative and its sister organization, the Dairy Business Association. John was a champion for the dairy community who worked tirelessly to put farmers in a position to succeed."

In 2017, John was named 'Top Producer of the Year' by Top Producer magazine, which is an award given to farmers whose excellence in business can teach industry peers about value-added ventures, succession plans, overcoming adversity and more.

Pagel's Ponderosa milks about 5,300 milking cows. The dairy began 70 years ago by John's parents, Carl and Garnet. When John took the operation over in 1980, they were only milking 65 cows and farming 380 acres. The farm now employs 120 full-time and 10 part-time workers. Four of his children are also involved in the business.

In addition to the dairy, the family owns three cheese manufacturing facilities, as well as a farm-to-fork restaurant and food market in Green Bay.

The cause of the plane accident remains under investigation.

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