Lilas graduated from Octavia Public High School and immediately began her teaching career in rural Butler County where she rented a room from a family not far from the school. Following several years there she took a teaching position at Nimberg Public School still in Butler County. She continued her teaching career in Chapman, North Bend and Schuyler Nebraska teaching mostly seventh and eighth grade Language Arts. Never learning to drive, my dad and fellow co-teachers provided transportation along with the 6:10 train from Chapman each Friday night. My family was always there to meet her regardless of when it arrived.
She took classes at Midland University and the University of Omaha throughout her teaching career to become licensed and certified.
In addition to serving students through teaching, Lilas was very active in the Octavia Baptist Church where she served as organist, Sunday School Superintendent and Vacation Bible School Coordinator.
Lilas was the youngest of seven children and lived with her parents whom she cared for over the years. Her nieces and nephews benefited greatly from her presence. My sister (Lilas Lou) and I had birthdays six days apart; we always celebrated with a party at our Aunt’s house with homemade angel food cakes. One of the things I enjoyed as a junior high student was visiting her classes on days I didn’t have school. When my sister and I were in High School, our aunt (Miss Teller) rode with us to school. Often times I would be asking her to help with homework that I had let slide. Along with the help, I did hear about planning and not waiting until the last minute.
In the fall of 1958, Lilas was diagnosed with Colon Cancer and passed in May of 1959 at the young age of 43. During her illness, she worked as she could. Her funeral procession was most significant as it carried busloads of students who so aptly honored her brilliant teaching career.
It is with fond memories that my family honor my Aunt, Lilas L. Teller.
Marianne Kay (Hookstra) Novotny-Yost
She took classes at Midland University and the University of Omaha throughout her teaching career to become licensed and certified.
In addition to serving students through teaching, Lilas was very active in the Octavia Baptist Church where she served as organist, Sunday School Superintendent and Vacation Bible School Coordinator.
Lilas was the youngest of seven children and lived with her parents whom she cared for over the years. Her nieces and nephews benefited greatly from her presence. My sister (Lilas Lou) and I had birthdays six days apart; we always celebrated with a party at our Aunt’s house with homemade angel food cakes. One of the things I enjoyed as a junior high student was visiting her classes on days I didn’t have school. When my sister and I were in High School, our aunt (Miss Teller) rode with us to school. Often times I would be asking her to help with homework that I had let slide. Along with the help, I did hear about planning and not waiting until the last minute.
In the fall of 1958, Lilas was diagnosed with Colon Cancer and passed in May of 1959 at the young age of 43. During her illness, she worked as she could. Her funeral procession was most significant as it carried busloads of students who so aptly honored her brilliant teaching career.
It is with fond memories that my family honor my Aunt, Lilas L. Teller.
Marianne Kay (Hookstra) Novotny-Yost