Leland "Lee" Dale Pavel

Age: 86

Born Feb. 19, 1939 – Died March 25, 2025

Lincoln, NE

Lee (known as “Pee Wee” in his younger years), was born and raised in Crete, Nebraska. Growing up in a music family, Lee learned to play drums at an early age.

He graduated from Crete High School in 1957.

Shortly after graduating, Lee joined the Nebraska Air National Guard, in which he served from 1957-1962. In September of 1957, Lee also began working at the Nebraska Department of Roads & Irrigation, where he worked 16 years testing roads materials. He later moved into the Planning and Project Development Division for the next 34 years, serving the State of Nebraska for 52 years!

On August 22, 1964, Lee married Dorothy Palmer, and had three children (Timothy, Kari, and Tonya).

He enjoyed staying busy and held various jobs over the years.

Lee joined the masonic brotherhood in 1965, becoming a member of the Sesostris Shrine society.

Lee was also a talented drummer. Since the time he was in High School, he began playing in a variety of country bands, dance bands, and orchestras. Some were local and some were travel bands. There was a time when Lee was playing in a couple country bands, that he played at Tony and Luigi’s and East Hill Supper Club, six nights a week, five hours a night for a month each. (He would laugh saying he would still make it to his regular job and on time). Lee played in clubs, honky tonks, prison, and on radio and TV. Most recently he played with the Sesostris Shrine Orchestra, where he’d play at Polka festivals, parades/ Shrine Football Parade, and various other performances.

When he wasn’t working, he was treasure hunting with metal detectors, selling detectors, and locating evidence for law enforcement (inadvertently, ending up in court, as a state’s witness in a murder case at one point). He also lead the search for debris in the investigation of the crash of United Airlines Flight 232, in the winter of 1990.

During his years living in Sprague, Lee served on the Sprague Village Board as mayor, a chairperson, planning commission, and civil defense coordinator.

He also served as a volunteer fire fighter, EMT, Lieutenant, and Captain for the Southwest Rural Fire Department for many years.

Lee enjoyed working in his yard, playing in the band, visiting casinos, and metal detecting.

Lee loved and supported his family the best he knew how. May his spirit and energy continue to inspire others, and may he rest now, and in peace.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents Joe and Sadie Pavel; sister Evelyn Loibl; brother Frank Pavel; son and daughter in-law Timothy and Cheri Pavel; brothers in-law Ray Palmer, Roger Palmer; sister in-law Roberta Hoefar.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years Dorothy Pavel; daughters and spouses Kari (Nick Amen), and Tonya (Kevin Allen); brother-in- law Stan Loibl; sisters-in-law Vernita Pavel; Marilyn Palmer; grandchildren Ryan Pavel (Meg), Jordan Pavel (John), Alex Elekes, Jordan Allen, Trent Allen; great granddaughter Fenix Pavel and Brylee Allen-Rue; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Leland will be held Monday, March 31,2025 from 9:00-10:00 AM at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68512.

Following the visitation will be a celebration of life at 10:00 AM at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. The family wishes memorials to Southwest Rural Fire Department and the Arbor Day Foundation.