Janet Walsh and Pat Dittemore from St. Joseph Catholic School in Wichita are among the 33 Catholic school educators retiring this year after collectively serving thousands of children for nearly six centuries.

Superintendent of Catholic Schools Janet Eaton stated that these educators have contributed a total of 577 years of service. “Over these years they have had the pride of working in great schools with amazing colleagues, the joy of partnering with thousands of parents in educating their children, and most importantly they have had the privilege of walking in faith with young students in their development and love for Jesus Christ,” she said.

“As a diocese, we are grateful for their many days of work – from the days when they rejoiced over the achievement of their students to the days when they may have cried over the challenges that a student was experiencing.”

Eaton highlighted the retirees' significant tenure and expressed gratitude for their dedication. “The individuals who are retiring from our diocese this year represent an incredible tenure. We have been blessed by their dedication, passion, expertise, and example of truly living Alive in Christ.”

The following is a list of those retiring and the schools they most recently served:

Bishop Carroll, Wichita:

- Vanessa Harshberger

- Karen Line

Blessed Sacrament, Wichita:

- Kerry Seiwert

St. Mary’s Colgan, Pittsburg:

- Bev Mitchelson

Christ the King, Wichita:

- Jolene Mainzer

Holy Savior, Wichita:

- Warren Brice

Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, Wichita:

- Tim Hieber

- Darla Strecker

St. Cecilia, Haysville:

- Jane Betzen

- Shelley Hewett

- Jamie Auch

- Chris Showalter

St. Anne School, Wichita:

- Gerry Hamilton

St. Catherine of Siena, Wichita:

- Janet Tschosik

- Sonya Carrillo

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton:

- LeAnn Capps

- Jim Foltz

St. Francis of Assisi, Wichita:

- Cindy Goodwin

St. Joseph, Wichita:

- Pat Dittemore

- Ellen Albert

- Janet Walsh

St. Joseph, McPherson:

- LaReta Olson

St. Jude, Wichita:

- Bob Lyall

- Beverly Kilian

St. Margaret Mary, Wichita:

- Nelly Espinosa

St. Mary, Derby:

- Richard Montgomery

- JoAnne Gutierrez

- Jim Maxton

St. Mary, Newton:

- Mark Middlemist

- Jan Ruxton

St. Patrick, Kingman:

- Jeralyn Hill

St. Patrick, Parsons:

- Carilyn Bernd

St. Patrick, Wichita:

- Kim Decker