Betty June Dirks

Betty June Dirks, 97, retired high school English teacher, passed away Friday, August 23, 2024. Memorial Service will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 31, 2024, at West Heights United Methodist Church. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, A.W. "Bill" Dirks; son-in-law, David Hiebert; parents, John and Irene Dorsch; brother, Gerald "Pete" Dorsch. She is survived by her daughters, Suzanne (Doug) Scott, Sheridan "Sheri" Hiebert, both of Wichita; grandchildren, Stephanie Hiebert of Seattle, WA, Malachi Scott of Wichita; brother, Robert (Karen) Dorsch of Wichita; and sister-in-law, Marie Krehbiel of Moundridge, KS. June, as she preferred to be called, was born in Ramona, Kansas where she attended elementary school and grew up with her brothers Pete and Robert. She later attended McPherson College and obtained her bachelor’s degree and then Emporia State University to obtain her master’s degree. She met her husband Bill while attending McPherson College and the couple later moved to Wichita where June pursued her career in teaching at Southeast High School as an Advanced Placement English teacher for 25 years. She was nominated and inducted into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in Dodge City for her outstanding performance in the classroom. Upon retirement she started running as a hobby and won many awards as she continued to compete until she turned 90 years of age. She ran her first half marathon at age 87. Throughout their marriage June and Bill loved to travel. They ultimately visited 50 different countries throughout Europe, Asia, Central America, and Australia as well as several cruises through the Mediterranean and Caribbean. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with: West Heights United Methodist Church, 745 N. Westlink Ave., Wichita, KS 67212. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - West Chapel.