Chippewa Bids Farewell to Custodian Couple, Elementary Clerk, Teacher

With their years of service combined, Chippewa Valley’s most recent group of retirees leave the district with more than 150 years among them.

As custodians, teachers, clerks and bus drivers, Karen Brosch, Janet Nank, Dennis Edwards, Sheila Hull, and Bob and Denise LaRosa have touched the lives of thousands of children over the course of their roughly 25 years each.

These contributions were recognized Monday with the official reading of their retirement resolutions by the Chippewa Valley school board.

Custodians Bob and Denise LaRosa

The district bids farewell to not one, but two of its head elementary school custodians with the retirement of Bob and Denise LaRosa.

As head custodians at and Cherokee elementary schools, respectively, Bob and Denise leave the district with a combined 49 years.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bob since 1995 … and working with Denise since she chose to leave the dark side–the Transportation Department–and come over to the custodial side in 2000,” said Larry Kleinhans, district custodial supervisor.

“They are both dedicated, hardworking employees that have fought for what they thought was best–for what was best for their schools. They wanted the best equipment. They wanted the best supplies. They wanted coworkers that knew what to do and could keep up with them, and most of all, they wanted to provide the safest environment for their students.” 

On a more personal level, Kleinhans said he would miss, “Bob’s creativity,” and Denise’s “kind words and thoughtfulness.”

“The positions that they leave, we’ll fill them, but we won’t replace them,” he added.

The LaRosas said they are looking forward to a retirement filled with travel and winter mornings spent sleeping in.

Sub Parapro and Elementary Clerk Karen Brosch

An employee of the district for 24 years, Karen Brosch has spent her last 14 as an office clerk at Cherokee Elementary School.

“She was at Cherokee when I became principal,” said Dr. Pam Jones. “She is an icon in that building. She really is the glue that holds much of our office together.”

The first person to greet guests and parents as they walk in the door, Brosch has also comforted many a sick or lunch-less child.

“She takes care of everything,” Jones said. “She makes every boo-boo go away, and fixes everything that’s wrong. We are going to greatly miss her at Cherokee.”

The feeling is mutual.

“I will greatly miss everyone at Cherokee and the community for sure,” Brosch said. “My kids all went through school system. It’s been a wonderful experience. I will miss everyone.”

Shawnee Teacher Janet Nank

A resident of the district for 39 years, Janet Nank has taught in Chippewa for the past 25 years, most recently at .

“It’s been an amazing experience to be a community member of district and also a parent and an educator,” Nank said. “I’m honored to be a teacher here in Chippewa. It’s been a journey and I feel I’ve been blessed. I’ve worked with amazing students and parents and administrators.”

For Shawnee Principal Christine Robershaw, Nank will always be one of the “kindest, most patient people you could ever meet.”

Nank looks forward to retiring to Beaver Island to spend time with her husband and enjoy her grandchildren.

Dennis Edwards and Sheila Hull

The board also recognized the retirement of Dennis Edwards and Sheila Hull, neither of which were present at the meeting. Edwards, a custodian, leaves the district with 16 years, while Hull, a teacher, leaves with 37.