Revered Carl A. Kemme, D.D. Bishop | Diocese of Witchita
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