Ilma Anna (Gobber) Gottula, daughter of Otto and Emma (Oestmann) Gobber, was born January 15, 1931 on the family farm east of Elk Creek, Nebraska. She was baptized as an infant by Rev. E. F. Geyer and confirmed October 14, 1945 by Rev. Harm Bents at St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Church, rural Elk Creek. Her confirmation was: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I Timothy 1:15.

She attended District #44 country school and Elk Creek High School, graduating with the class of 1948. After graduation, Ilma attended summer school at Peru State College and began her teaching career in the one-room limestone school 2 miles west of Long Branch Church at the age of 17. She continued attending summer school and taking night classes at Peru State and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1964. She continued attending summer school in Lincoln and received her Master’s Degree from UNL in 1970.

On June 20, 1952, Ilma was united in marriage to Eugene Gottula by Rev. Harm Bents at St. James Lutheran Church. To this union one son Alan Chris was born Nov. 2. 1953. She and Eugene celebrated 53 years of marriage before he passed away Feb. 7, 2005. After Eugene passed, Ilma renewed her friendship with Lee Sapp and the two of them spent much time together in their retirement enjoying life. Ilma taught 8 years in oneroom country schools in Nemaha and Johnson County, Kindergarten for 7 years in Elk Creek and 28 years with the Tecumseh Public Schools.

After her marriage to Eugene, Ilma became a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. She taught Vacation Bible School several summers, was a member of the bell choir one year and a member of the Dorcas Society for many years. Ilma was a seamstress and artist and enjoyed doing counted cross stitch, making church banners, and designing and painting stage sceneries for the Elk Creek High School Alumni Plays-of which she was also a cast member in several plays. She loved keeping up with her former students and was a proud supporter of education and Peru State College.

With the assistance of Alan and others, Ilma was blessed be able to stay at her home in Tecumseh and lived to her earthly age of 95 years and 3 months.

She is survived by her son Alan Gottula of Elk Creek and special friend Sandra Parker, grandson John Gottula of Fuguay-Varina, North Carolina, great-granddaughter Chloe Mirabelle Gottula, sisters-inlaw, Vicky Gobber of Gretna, Erma Gobber of Manhattan, KS and Shirley Gottula of Merna, many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and former students.

Ilma was preceded in death by her parents, husband Eugene, parents-in-law Bus and Elva Gottula, brothers Raymond and wife Norma, Orville, and Robert “Bob” Gobber, sister Eldonna Forrest and husband Lyle, nephews, Kent and Cary Gobber, great-nephew Erik Veburg and brother-in-law Stan Gottula.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 27, 2026 at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska with Rev. Timothy Brisbois officiating. Loretta Kerchal, organist, accompanied congregational hymns, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”, “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” Pallbearers were Brad Forrest, Kyle Forrest, Mike Gobber, Tim Gobber, Greg Krueger and Lonny Peters. Honorary pallbearers were all of Ilma’s former students. Interment was in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska. Memorials may go to the family’s choice. Services were entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska.