Lester W. Koeppel, age 85, longtime resident of Two Rivers, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, July 6, 2021 at the Hamilton Memorial Home after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s.
Lester was born in Mishicot, Wisconsin on September 25, 1935 to Frank and Julia (Palzer) Koeppel. He attended Pine Grove and Holy Cross Catholic Grade Schools and was a 1953 graduate of Mishicot High School. Following high school, he served six years with the Army National Guard. On November 24, 1956 he was united in marriage to J’Ette Feit at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kellnersville. The couple was blessed with six children and sixty-four years of marriage.
Les was owner/operator of Koeppel’s Shell Service in Two Rivers from 1953 to 1968, owner of Koeppel Realty for many years, and co-owner/operator of K & K Auto Parts of Two Rivers for 23 years, retiring in 2001. Les remained very active in many organizations and civic groups over the years. He was a member of the Two Rivers Knights of Columbus for nearly 60 years, becoming a 4th degree Knight and served for many years on the 3rd degree initiation team throughout the district; he was a Two Rivers Lions Club member for over 50 years where he was Past-President and received the Melvin Jones Award from Lions International; and a 50+ year member of the Two Rivers Elks Lodge where he served on several committees and held various offices, including Past Exalted Ruler. Les served six years on the Manitowoc County Board and four years on the Two Rivers City Council, including one term as Council President. He was a member of Holy Redeemer/St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Parish for sixty-one years; longtime member of Manitowoc County Fish & Game Association and very active with the Two Rivers Unit. Lester’s passion was interacting with hunters and trappers. He was the local fur buyer for over 45 years. Over the years, Les was donor of 120+ pints of blood and also found time to enjoy trapping, hunting, fishing, and sharing his words of wisdom with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife, J’Ette; five children: Susan (Bob) DeRoche of Manitowoc, Jeff (Nancy) Koeppel of Atlanta, GA, Keith (Amy) Koeppel of Two Rivers, Julie (Tim) Flynn of Green Bay, and Becky (Larry) Lueck of DePere; seven grandchildren: James (Bernadette) DeRoche, Ila Koeppel, Eryn and Ryan Flynn; Travis, Tristyn, and Taylor Lueck; and three great-grandchildren: Evey, Imogen, and Uriel. He is further survived by one brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law: Carol Koeppel of Mishicot, Melroy (Shirley) Feit of Cottage Grove, and Kathy Feit of Tennessee; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Julia Koeppel; one daughter, Barbara Koeppel; one grandson, Robert (Ace) DeRoche III; one brother, Jim Koeppel; two sisters & three brothers-in-law: Shirley (Bob) Wilfert, Marion (Donald) Stefaniak, Frank Feit; and his father & mother-in-law, Frank and Barbara Feit.
Funeral services will be held at 12 o’clock noon, Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 3201 Mishicot Rd., Two Rivers. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Dave Pleier, with burial to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Two Rivers. Military graveside rites will be accorded by members of the American Legion Post #165 and VFW Post #1248 of Two Rivers.
The family will greet relatives and friends at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, Wednesday morning from 9:00 until 11:45 a.m. There will be no Tuesday evening visitation.
The funeral service will be live-streamed on the St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church website or St. Peter the Fisherman Facebook page.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.
Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers is assisting the Koeppel family with funeral arrangements.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the entire staff of the Hamilton Care Center for the wonderful care provided, and a special thanks to the caregivers of Aurora at Home Hospice for their compassion and kindness extended to Les and our entire family throughout his illness.
