Matthew Francis Nebel, 43, of Englewood, CO (formerly Dubuque, IA) passed away Wednesday April 30, 2025.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 10th, 2025, at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home (2659 John F. Kennedy Rd) from 10 – 11:30am, with a memorial service to follow at 11:30am.

Matt was born on November 21, 1981 in Dubuque, the son of Al “Everybody’s Pal” and Deborah “it’s pronounced De-BORE-uh” (Jirak) Nebel. After graduating from Dubuque Hempstead High School in 2000, Matt worked as a machinist for the BNSF Railroad for over 20 years.

In 2012, he married the love of his life, Colleen (Anderson) of Dubuque, and began their life together traveling the world, exploring the outdoors, and raising three outstanding dogs: Lilacs, Orion, and Lola.

Matt worked hard to establish a reputation of humorous mischief, before eventually moving on to a simpler life of responsible silliness: one filled with laughter, occasional hijinks, and an overabundance of kindness. His smile and infectious laugh lit up every room he entered, and “Everybody loves Matt!” became a longstanding family motto. He made friends quickly, anywhere and everywhere he went, with a gregarious spirit that was unmatched.

From demolition derby cars to diesel engines and custom golf clubs: Matt could build, fix, re-engineer, and improve almost anything he got his hands on. His mind was brilliant, and his handiwork was the expression of that brilliance.

Matt loved riding his Harley, snowboarding, scuba-diving, adventuring through the Rocky Mountains, and bicycling around the world with his wife Colleen; playing Xbox with his sister; Goodwill hunting with his mom; and having daily conversations with his dad using only the words “potato-head” and “fathead”.

There are not enough words to express the love felt for Matt, but there are three words (his own) that might come close: “Matt Nebel Rules”.

He is survived by his loving wife Colleen, father Al, mother Debbie, sister Erin, mother-in-law Laurie Anderson, father-in-law Dick Anderson, brothers-in-law Kirk Anderson and Rich Rosario, sister-in-law Adela Anderson, and an untold number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by mother-in-law Jeanette Anderson, paternal grandparents Francis and LouAnn Nebel, maternal grandparents Arnold and Rita Jirak, uncles Dennis Nebel, Keith Jirak, and Kevin Jirak, aunt Shelly Jirak, and beloved fur-baby Lilacs.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Aspen Camp for the Deaf (https://aspencamp.org/) or The Listen Foundation (https://www.listenfoundation.org).