Lee "Coach" Nebel

Lee J. "Coach" Nebel, age 83, lifetime resident of Two Rivers, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, May 9, 2023 at the Hamilton Care Center after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.

Lee was born in Two Rivers on December 4, 1939 to George and Vernette (Williams) Nebel. He attended St. Luke's Catholic Grade School and graduated from Washington High School with the class of 1958. On June 11, 1960, he married Jane Schroeder at St. Luke's Catholic Church. The couple was blessed with two children and almost 63 years of marriage. Lee retired in 2001 from Hamilton Mfg. Company where he spent 35 years working as a cabinet maker.

Lee was a lifetime sports enthusiast. He will be forever remembered for his love of coaching, officiating, and supporter of all sports. During his high school days, he excelled as a three sport athlete for all 4 years as a member of the basketball, football and baseball teams. His coaching career actually began as a junior in high school and would continue for the next 61 years as softball, baseball, and basketball coach. He was head coach of the St. Luke's/T.R.C.C.S basketball team for many years and perhaps best remembered as the varsity girls fastpitch softball coach at Washington High School from 1986 to 2008 where his Raider girls captured 15 conference titles and over 400 wins along the way. Over the years, he assembled an overall record of 1,085 wins and 621 loses. Lee also coached the Raider varsity boys baseball team, and served as assistant varsity girls basketball coach.

Lee worked as an umpire for the Shoreland Baseball League from 1958-1968, and as a referee from 1972-2009 for both basketball and football. He served as past president, secretary and treasurer of the Shoreland Baseball League for many years. Lee also served on the athletic council of St. Luke's/T.R.C.C.S.; and was past president of the Manitowoc-Two Rivers Officials Association which later became Manitowoc County Sports Officials Association. Lee was inducted into the Lakeshore All Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 and was a member of the initial class of the Shoreland League Hall of Fame in 2017.

Lee had a great love for family as well. He loved watching all of his grandchildren participate in their respective sports and events; he enjoyed hunting with family members; and camping at Jellystone Park with his family. He enjoyed watching sporting events on television, especially the Brewers, Packers, Bucks, and Badgers; he served as past president of the Mahogany Run Condo Assoc; he loved to read, especially Western novels; and treasured the time with his grandkids and great-grandkids. Lee touched many lives over the years, especially the kids. He will be greatly missed by many.

Survivors include his wife, Jane; one daughter & son-in-law, Kim and Eric Michaels; one son & daughter-in-law, Kevin and Kristen Nebel, all of Two Rivers; five grandchildren: Kelly (Andrew) LaCrosse, Kyle (McKenzie) Schramm, Adam (Staci) Nebel, Alex (Katie) Nebel, Andrew Nebel, and his fiance, Brooke; along with six great-grandchildren: Ethan and Peytynn Schramm, Bailee and Blake LaCrosse, Lexi and Sadie Nebel. He is further survived by one brother-in-law, James Schroeder of Two Rivers; one niece; and five nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Vernette Nebel; son-in-law, Steven Schramm; father-in-law & mother-in-law, Elmer and Evelyn Schroeder; and a sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Ann and LeRoy Peters.

Funeral services for Coach Nebel will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2023 at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 3201 Mishicot Rd., Two Rivers. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Richard Klingeisen, assisted by Deacon John Vincent. A private burial will take place Friday morning at Holy Cross Cemetery in Two Rivers.

The family will greet relatives and friends at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church Thursday evening from 3:00 until 5:45 p.m.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.

Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers is assisting the Nebel family with funeral arrangements.

Lee's family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the entire staff of Hamilton Health Services, and also to the caregivers of Lynn's Homecare Health Services & Hospice for the compassionate care and kindness extended to our beloved, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.