Lilas graduated from Schuyler High School in 1958 and went on to attend Wayne State College on an academic scholarship. After one year, she decided to begin teaching in a one-room school in Butler County, District #46; after spending several years there, she moved to District #9, still in Butler County. After a couple of years, Lilas took a position in a two-room school in Octavia where she taught the primary grades for many years. Lilas also attended Octavia Grade School in grades one-eight and lived in the community her entire life.
Lilas Lou received a BAE from Wayne State College and later a Master’s Degree from the University of NE-Lincoln in 1966.
Her later years of teaching were at the Junior High in David City where she also served as Activities Director. Both of her children, Kent Grotelueschen of Octavia and Mindy (Grotelueschen) Swanson attended Octavia Grade School and graduated from David City High School.
Kent went to Milford Technical School and Mindy enrolled at the University of NE- Kearney where she majored in PE and Biology. She began her teaching career in Genoa which eventually became Twin River and just completed her 26th year. She received her Master’s from UN-Kearney in 1994.
Lilas Lou was very active in the school community but also went above and beyond in community leadership. She was organist at the Octavia Community Church for many years and extended her church involvement at the regional and state level; she was on the Library Board in David City, served as Advisor for Jobs Daughters where she had served as Queen as a high school student and helped with food drives and numerous other community needs.
Lilas Lou lost her life to cancer in April, 2007 at the age of 66. She fought hard and never complained during the six years but we all knew it was not easy. She is dearly missed by her family, friends and the community she loved.
Lilas Lou received a BAE from Wayne State College and later a Master’s Degree from the University of NE-Lincoln in 1966.
Her later years of teaching were at the Junior High in David City where she also served as Activities Director. Both of her children, Kent Grotelueschen of Octavia and Mindy (Grotelueschen) Swanson attended Octavia Grade School and graduated from David City High School.
Kent went to Milford Technical School and Mindy enrolled at the University of NE- Kearney where she majored in PE and Biology. She began her teaching career in Genoa which eventually became Twin River and just completed her 26th year. She received her Master’s from UN-Kearney in 1994.
Lilas Lou was very active in the school community but also went above and beyond in community leadership. She was organist at the Octavia Community Church for many years and extended her church involvement at the regional and state level; she was on the Library Board in David City, served as Advisor for Jobs Daughters where she had served as Queen as a high school student and helped with food drives and numerous other community needs.
Lilas Lou lost her life to cancer in April, 2007 at the age of 66. She fought hard and never complained during the six years but we all knew it was not easy. She is dearly missed by her family, friends and the community she loved.