Lillian Elizabeth Jacobsen Bartels Whitla

1933 - 2026

Lillian Elizabeth Jacobsen Bartels Whitla obituary, 1933-2026

Send Flowers

Get Updates

BORN

1933

DIED

2026

About

University of Nebraska Army Teachers & Educators Professors & Academics

Lillian Whitla Obituary

Name: Memorial Gathering for Lillian Elizabeth Jacobsen Bartels Whitla
Location: St. Paul Lutheran Church

Lillian Elizabeth Jacobsen Bartels Whitla

October 17, 1933 - October 22, 2026

Lillian Elizabeth Jacobsen Bartels Whitla passed away peacefully on October 22, 2026, at home.

She was born on October 17, 1933 in Homer, Neb., to Henry and Grace Jacobsen. She was second born, only girl, of five children.

Lil grew up on a farm two miles south of Homer, Neb. 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 five different rural schools in NE Nebraska.

In May of 1953, she married Arnold (Jack) Bartels; they were stationed in Germany from 1955 to 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 14, 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 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2026, in the Omaha Valley Cemetery, Homer, Neb. A luncheon will follow at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Homer.

Memorials to the family or the Lincoln Capital Humane Society.