Lombard's Trinity Lutheran School gets new leadership

The longtime principal at Lombard's Trinity Lutheran School, Kenneth Krohse, is stepping down after more than three decades at the helm.

Krohse started working at Trinity in 1977 after teaching at a Lutheran school in Chicago. Six years later, he moved up from teacher and youth director to principal - a position he has held for 32 years.

"It's been a good time," he said, adding that it will be bittersweet to leave Trinity, which serves children in preschool through eighth grade. "It's nice to be at this point in my life, but I've been going to school just about all my life, and it's kind of hard to imagine not going back to school in August."

Krohse said one of his favorite memories was celebrating the 150th anniversary of the school a few years ago. He also recalled changes that have occurred during his time as principal, including the introduction of computers at the school and increases and dips in enrollment numbers.

"There have been so many small changes that have been made," he said. "Society demands a stronger curriculum, and we've grown with those demands. We've stayed a good, top-notch school over all those years, and there's satisfaction in that."

Krohse's last day will be at the end of June, but he won't be alone in his retirement. His wife, Marlene, who started working at the school the same year as him, is also retiring from her position as kindergarten teacher.

"We're going to continue to live in Lombard and worship in Trinity," Krohse said, adding that they are looking forward to more time with their grandkids and just "enjoying life."

The Krohses will be replaced by a young couple about the same age they were when they started working at Trinity.

Andrew DeWitt will take on the role of principal and seventh- and eighth-grade teacher while his wife, Leann, will take over as the school's kindergarten teacher. The two are graduates of Concordia University Chicago and former employees at St. Paul Lutheran School in Rochelle.

Krohse said he is pleased with the DeWitts and excited for the new times ahead at the school.

"I hope it continues to be a center of Christian education in this area and just that they continue to do well and remain faithful to the Gospel," he said.