Lil grew up on a farm two miles south of Homer, Nebraska. She attended Combs Rural school from kindergarten thru 8th grade. She then went to Homer High School, graduating in 1951. Lil went to Wayne State Teacher’s College earning a 2-year teaching certificate, going on to teach K-8 for 5 different rural schools in NE Nebraska.
In May of 1953, she married Arnold (Jack) Bartels; they were stationed in Germany from 1955-1958 where Arnold was in the Army. They had their son, Randy, on August 29, 1956, in Frankfort. When they returned from Germany, they lived in NE Nebraska until 1963 when they moved to Lincoln.
Lil continued her education after their divorce in 1971. She earned her BS in Education from the University of Nebraska and went on to teach (along with being office manager and financial aid director) at the Lincoln School of Commerce for 10 years. She then worked at the State Treasurer’s Office for the State of NE. After taking the civil service test, she went to work for the Dept. of Farmer’s Home Administration then on to the Federal Department of Immigration as the Administration Assistant to the Director. She retired in 1991.
In 1988, Lillian married Dr. F.E. Whitla. She became a widow on April 14th, 2013.
Lillian is preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and one sister-in-law.
She is survived by her son, Randy (Jana) Bartels, stepchildren Beth Hubbard, Scott (Sidney) Hubbard, Barb (Dent) Tisdale, Steve (Kim) Whitla, and Kelly (Jimmy) Patterson. Grandchildren: Jenna (Phil), Emily (Pete), Kevin (Nadine), Baxter, Jessica, Ryan, Chelsea, Drew (Mae), Khobi (Logan), and Kaitlyn. Great-grandchildren: Skie, Dominic, Jade, and Beau.
Lillian was a member of Indian Hills Community Church. She believed Jesus Christ died for her sins, and by the Grace of God she will reside in heaven forever and ever. We believe that also.
Graveside service to be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2026, in the Omaha Valley Cemetery, Homer, NE. Reception to follow at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Homer, NE.
Memorials to the family or the Lincoln Capital Humane Society.