Lee went to be with the Lord on September 26, 2023. He passed peacefully surrounded by family, love and prayer after a short illness.

Lee was born on June 30, 1934. He earned a BS in Business from Illinois State University in 1956. He returned to Illinois State University to get his master’s degree in Educational Administration, and served as the Assistant Dean of Students and Financial Aid Administrator. In 1963, Lee became the Associate Executive Director at the Illinois State Scholarship Commission. He attended Northwestern University and attained his PhD in Educational Psychology in 1969. Following that work in 1971, now Dr. Noel, joined American College Testing (ACT), as a regional vice-president. He later created the ACT National Center for the Advancement of Educational Practices and served as the Executive Director. Lee was considered to be a pioneer in student retention and success.

In 1984, after 13 years at ACT, he and Randi Levitz cofounded a national college enrollment and student retention consulting firm, Noel-Levitz. Their goal was to develop solutions that created both student and institutional success. In 2010, he received an honorary Doctorate degree from Azusa Pacific University for his work on strengths-based leadership and education.

Lee met the love of his life, Mary Spainhower, in 1955 and they married on December 29, 1956. That beautiful marriage resulted in four children – Steve (deceased), Mike, MaryLee, and Patrice.

In retirement, Lee enjoyed wintering with Mary on St George Island, FL where he built many strong relationships, developed vacation properties, and hosted several family/friend vacations.

He is survived by his daughter-in-law Beth Noel of Dakota Dunes, SD, son Mike (Mary) Noel of Iowa City, daughter MaryLee (John) Williams of Cedar Rapids, daughter Patrice Noel of Dayton, OH; Grandchildren Hilliary (Brad) Lukes, John Williams, Todd (Emily) Noel, Lee Noel, Drew Noel, Kate Noel, Louis (Victoria) Noel, Matthew Mittelstaedt, and Marlow Mittelstaedt; plus great grandchildren Ryne and Addison Lukes, sister-in-law’s Nancy Maushard and Peggy Belliston, brother-in-law Vance Belliston, and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his son Steve; his son-in-law John Mittelstaedt; his parents Herman and Elizabeth; his brother Milburn, and sister-in-law Bernadine.

Visitation will be from 5PM to 7PM, Thursday October 5, 2023, and again from 10 AM to 11 AM on Friday October 6, 2023, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Coralville, IA.

The family will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at St Thomas More Church at 11 AM on Friday October 6, 2023. Fathers Ed Fitzpatrick and Charles Adam will officiate. The service will be recorded and placed on Lee’s obituary page at http://www.lensingfuneral.com

Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Metamora, IL.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Iowa City Hospice, University of Iowa Newman Catholic Student Center, St. Thomas More Church, Coralville, IA, or a charity of your choice.

The complete obituary at http://www.lensingfuneral.com