Legacy Pearls was founded in 2015 as a tribute to individuals who exemplify excellence in Girl Scout leadership. The members of Legacy Pearls helped grow Girl Scouting within the Council boundaries into the forward-thinking organization we see today by their personal examples of integrity, dedication, mentorship, confidence, character, and/or visionary insight.

Use this nominee link to nominate someone to be a Legacy Pearl Honoree.

Legacy Pearl Honorees

Gloria Farha Flentje & Jack Focht toggle arrow

2026 Legacy Pearl Honorees

Gloria Farha Flentje and Jack Focht have dedicated more than four decades of leadership, service, and financial support to further the Girl Scout mission. They have provided opportunities for thousands of Kansas girls and exemplify what it means to be Legacy Pearls. In addition to JPLS, they have supported camp properties, scholarship funds, financial aid and more. Both Jack and Gloria have served in various roles, including Board Chair, since joining the board in the late 70s and early 80s.

GLORIA FARHA FLENTJE

Gloria graduated from the University of Kansas and was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 1976.

After graduating cum laude from Southern Illinois University School of Law, Gloria began her career at Southwestern Bell before joining Foulston Siefkin, where she became a partner in 1984. In 2000, she transitioned to The Boeing Company as Chief Counsel in Wichita and later played a key leadership role at Spirit AeroSystems, retiring as Senior Vice President for Administration and Human Resources in 2011.

Throughout her distinguished legal career, Gloria has been a respected leader in the profession, serving as President of both the Wichita Bar Association and the Kansas Bar Foundation. Her service extended to numerous committees, statewide judicial initiatives, and the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission, where she served for eight years, including as Chair.

Equally impactful is Gloria’s lifelong dedication to Girl Scouts. Her journey began as a Brownie in Wichita, Troop 56, where she sold cookies that helped support the early development of Camp Seikooc. As an adult, she continued her commitment to Girl Scouts through board service with the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council.

As Council President, Gloria played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Girl Scouting in the region. She led the merger of the Wichita Area and Four Winds Councils, strengthening the organization’s reach and sustainability for generations of girls. She also used her legal expertise to advocate for Girl Scout properties, helping protect Camp Seikooc from nearby development. Gloria’s service has been recognized with numerous honors, including being named a Girl Scout Woman of Distinction. She has served on the JPLS committee since the founding year, making a tremendous impact on the event and creating opportunities for the girls.

JACK FOCHT

Jack graduated from Southwestern College and after graduating second in his class from Washburn University School of Law, he was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 1960. Jack began his career in private practice before serving six years as Deputy County Attorney. He later returned to private practice, eventually founding the firm Focht, Hughey, Hund & Calvert in 1984. In 1997, he joined Foulston Siefkin as Special Counsel, where he practiced until his retirement in 2014.

His work spanned health care law, white collar criminal defense, civil rights, employment law, and complex business litigation.

Jack’s professional accomplishments are widely recognized. He served as President of both the Wichita Bar Association and the Kansas Bar Association and was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is an honor limited to the top one percent of attorneys. He has been consistently listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since its inception and was named Wichita’s “Lawyer of the Year” for white collar criminal defense in 2013. Jack’s dedication to community service includes service on many boards, including the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council, where he served as president for six years. During his tenure he provided steady leadership during a period of growth and transition, leading the search for a new council executive and even stepping in as acting director when needed. Under his leadership, the Council launched its first capital campaign, successfully raising funds for a new Girl Scout headquarters. Jack and Gloria’s legacy reflect a lifetime of leadership, service, and a steadfast commitment to strengthening their community. They were founding members of the Juliette’s Pearls Leadership Society and continue to be Pearl members each year. They have been married since 1996 and have a blended family of five children and 14 grandchildren. Their belief in empowering girls to lead, grow, and thrive has made an impact that will continue for years to come.

Dr. Martha Housholder toggle arrow

2025 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Martha Selfridge Housholder began her Girl Scout journey as a first grader at Alcott School in 1952. Her troop leaders were her mother and Ruth Keesling. She remembers attending Brownie Day Camp at Little House in Riverside Park and camping at Seikooc Camp the first year it was open in 1954. She was a Cadette Scout at Robinson Junior High and a Senior Scout at East High school under troop leader Sally Foose. She first camped at Weidemann Camp in 1964, where Gladys Weidemann came to visit the camp with them. However, her favorite camp experiences were at Turkey Creek Camp. She also worked as a Museum Guide at Cowtown Museum under Mrs. Kirby from 1962-1964 and received her Curved Bar in 1964. Martha was the leader of a Cadette Troop from Central Junior High in Lawrence during her four years of college at KU. She remembers this as particularly meaningful as it was an economically disadvantaged neighborhood where the girls would not have been able to experience the natural world through camping without the troop.

After college, she was one of only eight women matriculated into KU Medical School. On the day she graduated from Medical School, she married Daniel Housholder. After completing an internship and one year of Internal Medicine residency they headed to Norfolk, VA where Dan would be stationed as a radiologist for his mandatory two years of service in the Navy. Martha wrote all of the dermatology residency programs in a 200 mile radius and fortunately, Johns Hopkins University had a dermatology residency spot available for her. After his military service, Dan joined her at Johns Hopkin and they welcomed their son, David. She then joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins, where she ran a Syphilis clinic and practiced dermatopathology.

In 1978, with 1 year old David and daughter Anne coming soon, they moved back to Wichita where Martha joined the Dermatology Clinic, PA where she and Marlene Mendiones, MD had to lobby the senior male partners for several years before she was allowed to buy in as a partner in 1984. In 2004 she became the sole owner of the practice, and she intends to continue to provide excellent medical dermatology and dermatopathology for the foreseeable future.

In 1986 she became her the troop leader for her daughter Anne’s troop, with her co-leader Marilyn Hulnick. The troop went to summer camps at Little House and Seikooc and spent weekends troop camping at Seikooc and Weidemann.

Martha served on the Wichita Area Girl Scouts Board of Directors in the 1990s during the capital campaign to build the new headquarters. She has served on the boards of the Wichita Area Boy Scouts, The Wichita Symphony, Old Cowtown Museum, the YWCA, and the Tack Flute Award, among others. She often cites her Girl Scout training as the ideal preparation for her over 30 trips to Africa and Asia to teach medical missionaries, which were often quite rustic particularly when she began in 1984. Missionaries have asked her for her packing lists because of their thoroughness, which she claims is due to her deep belief in the Girl Scout motto, Be Prepared. While in Kenya, she visited Paxtu and the graves of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, founders of international scouting. Martha Housholder, MD is a life-long girl scout and lives out the best ideal of girl scouting through and through.

Coleen Dyson toggle arrow

2023 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Coleen (Ruble) Dyson was born in Chanute, Kansas and lived there the majority of her formative years. After graduating with an Associate’s Degree from Neosho County Community College in 1969, she moved to Wichita, Kansas. Then in 1971, she married Charles Dyson. In time, their family expanded with daughter, Heather, and son, Dustin.

During the Spring of 1980, Coleen volunteered to be an assistant leader for Heather’s new Girl Scout troop. By summer, she was asked by Margaret Johnson to become the actual leader, and the rest is history. Coleen would find her passion for Girl Scouting and her love for the outdoors. Coleen was the troop leader for Heather’s troop for 12 years, and in the girls’ senior year, Heather and three other girls in the troop earned their Gold Awards.

In 1985, Coleen became an employee of the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council, responsible for the council shop. However, that did not prevent her from continuing to be a Girl Scout volunteer. She has fond memories of being a camp promoter, trainer for troop camping and outdoor cooking and even directing day camp at Four Winds. In 1986, Quindaro Neighborhood presented Coleen a Lifetime Membership in Girl Scouting as a “thank you” for being an excellent Neighborhood Chair.

When the new Girl Scout Service Center was being built in Wichita in 1992, Coleen worked with the interior designer in creating the Girl Scout shop/resource room. It was designed to be a one-stop location where leaders could purchase their troop supplies, check out equipment, reserve an overnight troop camping location and get answers to their Scouting questions. Throughout her 31 years on staff, her favorite part was providing excellent service for all of the Girl Scout volunteers and especially, the girls!

After going to night school for several years, in 1992, Coleen graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and Retail. She continued to put this degree to good use in the Girl Scout shop for the next 24 years.

After retiring from Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council in 2016, Coleen has stayed involved in Girl Scouting. Currently, she is serving as President of Girl Scouts Alumni & Friends and leading the Girl Scout Historical Collection Team.

Sandy Remsberg toggle arrow

2023 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Sandy Remsberg was a Brownie and a Junior Girl Scout in Kansas City, Missouri in her youth. As an adult, she carried on the tradition of Girl Scouting with her three daughters: Dana, Jill and Jennifer. Sandy was actively involved in her three daughters’ troops, but her out-going personality drew attention at the Neighborhood Girl Scout level and she became Neighborhood Chairman. She also served as Operation EDITH Chair and Festival of Giving Chair. Sandy soon became a member-at-large on the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council Board of Directors. In subsequent years, she became Secretary of the Board, then Second Vice President, and then President. During her presidency and with her guidance, the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council undertook its first capital campaign to build the Girl Scout Headquarters Building that currently resides at 360 Lexington Road in Wichita. We are still enjoying the benefits of this lovely building and its location today.

Soon Sandy’s volunteer service turned into a staff position as Director of Development for the Council. Fund development requires knowledge of the community, and this knowledge was one of Sandy’s strong suits. Her resourcefulness and community awareness resulted in the gift of land that would later be known by Girl Scout campers as Starwoods Outdoor Center. During Sandy’s six years on the staff, a second capital campaign was needed. She helped coordinate and raise three million dollars for Starwoods’ development.

In 2018, Sandy was surprised to receive, from the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council, the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant contributions to Girl Scouting.

These additional organizations have also benefitted from Sandy’s volunteer spirit: Kansas University Alumni Board, Junior League of Wichita (past President), Big Brothers Big Sisters (past President), Heartspring Board, and Grace Presbyterian Church as an Elder and as a member of their Volunteer Ministries Advisory Board.

Jane Pracht Lambertz toggle arrow

2022 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memoriam

Jane Pracht Lambertz was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1921. She began her love affair with all things Girl Scouts when she joined the organization in her youth. She reminisced fondly of her many scouting activities and maintained a special affection for The Girl Scout Little House. Her life epitomized the Girl Scout motto “Do a good turn daily” and was characterized by her “can do” attitude.

She graduated from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School, Wichita, and attended Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas, and University of Texas, Austin. After the United States entered WWII, Jane returned to work at Beech Aircraft as a secretary in the Administrative Offices.

She married Vern Lambertz on November 27, 1947 with whom she raised a son and two daughters, all of whom were active in scouting. Jane was a Cub Scout Pack Leader and assistant Girl Scout Leader as her children became involved.

Jane was a devout Catholic, active in the Altar Society at Church of the Magdalen. She was a member of the Delta Rho Sigma Sorority, Beta Chapter, serving as President in 1959-1960. She was President of Monican Circle, 1960-1961. In addition, Jane was a member of the National Council of Catholic Women and served on the Board of Directors at Mt. Carmel Academy.

Her passion for scouting led her to leadership activities on the Board of Directors of the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council (WAGSC) from 1959-1969, serving as Cookie Sale Chair (1960-1962). Cookie Sales “topped all previous records in WAGSC” in 1960, and this trend continued each year that Jane chaired Cookie Sales.

Jane also served on the Public Relations Committee, and as Vice-President and ultimately as President of the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council in 1965-1966. A highlight of her Presidency was the visit of Lady Olave Baden-Powell, World Chief Guide, in March 1966. During this visit, Lady Baden-Powell planted a tree at The Girl Scout Little House to commemorate her visit.

Jan Chandler Randle toggle arrow

2022 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Jan Chandler Randle frequently refers to herself as a “Professional Volunteer,” and that title fits her perfectly. Not only has she given her talents and time over the years to the Girl Scouts, but also to the Junior League of Wichita, Wichita Children’s Home, Arts Partners, Kansas Society of Children with Challenges, the Wichita Public Library Board and the Wichita Art Museum, to name just a few. Jan also has the passion to be a long-time member of the “Thursday Afternoon Cooking Club,” “The Book Club” and “Shakespeare Club”.

In the late 1970s, Jan became a Girl Scout Troop Leader (even though she was a Campfire Girl in her youth). She generously provided refreshments for Girl Scout troops attending day camp at the Little House in Wichita’s Oak Park. By 1991, Jan was serving as the Chair of the Nominating Committee for the Board of Directors, helping raise money for our Council by serving on the Planning Team for the “Urban Campout” in 1998, and also serving on the Girl Scouts of the Golden Plains Council Board of Directors from 1999-2000 as a Member-at-Large. Acknowledging her organizational skills and creativity, Jan was appointed as Third Vice President (2000-2002), First Vice President (2003-2005), and ultimately elected to serve as Board President in 2006.

Also in 2006, Girl Scouts of the United States of America announced a “realignment of Council boundaries” throughout the nation. For Kansas, it meant that Girl Scouts of the Golden Plains Council was to merge with five other councils in Kansas and form a new one. It was determined that it would be headquartered in Wichita. This new Council would need a new inclusive name and a new Board of Directors with a broad representation.

Budgets needed to be consolidated, properties cataloged, organizational bylaws rewritten and some staff changes considered. Jan took on the task to help all of the merging councils work together. She was absolutely the right leader for this moment! Soon, a realignment task force was making progress, a new CEO was hired, and Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland was born.

Dee Rolph

2021 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Dee Rolph is a champion Girl Scout! She served as a member of the Board of Directors from 1989-1993. In that four-year span, she was troop leader for one of her daughters and chaired the capital campaign to raise $2,000,000 for the new Girl Scout Center, which opened in 1992. Dee Rolph has been a supporter of the Girl Scouts both in advocacy and philanthropy ever since.

Dee’s love of nature is obvious to all who know her. Fishing is her favorite sport, but she loves to hunt as well. So much so that she made sure all the girls in her troop received their Hunter Safety Certificates. Dee helped create new opportunities at many of our Girl Scout Camps. For example, she championed the horse program at Camp Wiedemann. At Starwoods Outdoor Program Center, Dee was an integral part in creating the High Adventure Course. She loves seeing Girl Scouts of all ages zip-lining over the lake, enjoying the climbing tower, and experiencing the shooting range for archery, BB guns, and water balloon sling shots. And, it is no surprise that she is equally fond of camping.

Dee is a founding member and the first Honorary Chair of the Juliette’s Pearls Leadership Society, a group of more than 100 Kansas community leaders who came together in 2014 to raise awareness and funding for the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council. The Juliette’s Pearls Leadership Society has raised, over the last eight years, more than $750,000 for Girl Scout Leadership Experiences for our Kansas Girl Scouts.

Our council is very grateful for the incredible impact that Dee Rolph has made. She shares her great sense of humor, her yearn to travel, the love of the out-of-doors, the importance of friendships, and shows us all exactly how to build girls of courage, confidence, and character!

Marge Kirby toggle arrow

2019 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

In 1957, Wichita’s Cowtown was in trouble. Rumors were swirling that the City Commission wanted to shut down the fledgling attraction. There was very little funding, no paid staff and the grounds were only open on special occasions. There was a real possibility that Historic Wichita, Inc. would disband and Cowtown would close. But Marge Kirby saddled up the Girl Scout Cavalry and rode to the rescue! In the summer of 1958, she organized 45 Girl Scout troops to staff each of the Cowtown buildings with 2 Girl Scouts and an adult for the entire summer. As a result, 20,000 people showed up. Cowtown was saved and so began the museum’s most enduring and fondly remembered partnership.

For the next 18 years, every summer, Marge Kirby, her famous whistle at the ready, commanded legions of Girl Scouts at the museum. Some remember Marge as being sweet and loving and some remember her as being more demanding and exacting, but there was absolutely no doubt that she loved being part of the Girl Scout program at Cowtown. The girls wore their full uniforms and learned short historical scripts (or elocutions as the Victorians would have called them) to share with visitors who came from every state and more than 40 foreign countries to get a taste of the rough and tumble Old West.

The Girl Scouts brought life and vitality to Cowtown and as it prospered and grew into a world class living history museum, the girls became costumed reenactors portraying young ladies on the Victorian frontier. The building that housed the Girl Scout program was renamed Kirby House in Marge’s honor, and in 2008, to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the Cowtown and Girl Scout partnership, there was an accounting of the number of service hours donated by Girl Scouts over the years. The total: 1,650,000 hours!

Jayne Sheils Smith toggle arrow

2019 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Jayne Sheils Smith was once described as a “fiery red-head” with a quick wit, a knack for leadership and savvy in financial management. She was born in Rochester, New York on June 25, 1911. Jayne grew up and was educated in Rochester and that is where she learned about volunteerism and leadership. During World War II, Jayne was the Director of the Rochester USO (United Service Organization) making it the most popular place for servicemen to meet and eat, from Toronto to Buffalo.

Through USO, Jayne met the love of her life, George W. Smith. At the conclusion of World War II, Jayne and George were married and moved to Wichita, Kansas, where George returned to his work in law enforcement. This debutante from Rochester enjoyed her life in Wichita. In February of 1951, Jayne Smith was selected to be the Executive Director of the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council. This is a position that she held until her retirement in 1979. During those 28 years of leadership, her focus was primarily on providing services for girls, so it was no wonder that the overall membership increased by 250 percent. She shared her leadership skills by serving on many other community boards and even encouraged men to participate as Board Members on the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council Board.

Jayne Smith’s leadership acumen and her progressive goals also brought numerous honors from the National and Regional Girl Scout Boards and many other organizations. In 1979, Jayne was honored as a Woman of Achievement by the Wichita Chapter of Professional Women in Communications.

To carry on her legacy, Jayne established the George W. and Jayne Smith College Scholarship Fund that has enabled many graduating High School Senior Girl Scouts to live their dreams of attending college. For the rest of her life, it brought Jayne great pride to hear of the successes of “her girls.”

Beverly Fiedler toggle arrow

2018 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Beverly lived a life full of compassion, humor, persistence and commitment. During World War II, she was the first female window clerk in the Wichita Post Office. At the age of 20, she opened and operated a restaurant with her father in downtown Wichita named “Beverly’s Cafeteria.” She successfully operated this business until her marriage to Edmond Fiedler in 1950. Together they had three children, Ellen, Ann and Fritz. Bev’s greatest joy centered around raising these three children.

When Beverly’s daughters became Brownies, she became involved and enlisted her neighbor, Joann Kamas, to help as well. Beverly was a troop leader for many years and especially provided guidance to the members of Senior Mariner Troop 178, while letting the troop members sand and varnish the paddles, rudder and running board for their troop’s sailboat in her garage. Beverly also helped the troop members write, edit and produce “Spotlight on Seniors.” This publication, printed on a mimeograph machine, highlighted all of the current activities of every Senior Girl Scout Troop in the Wichita area. Beverly served on the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council’s Board of Directors, as a Wider Opportunities Selection Committee Member, and she accompanied the Senior Girl Scouts from the Wichita Area attending the last National Girl Scout Roundup in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho in 1965. Bev and her friend, Donna Dilsaver, enjoyed a flying excursion over the Wiedemann property in the Flint Hills that would eventually be known as Girl Scout Camp Wiedemann.

In 1980, when Beverly questioned why a ticket drive was not being held for the Wichita State Women’s Basketball Team, she told them that she would be the first Season Ticket Chairperson. Beverly launched into supporting WSU Women’s Basketball with fervor. Years later, at Beverly’s funeral, many WSU players and Girl Scouts spoke and sang in her honor.

Beverly was a charter member of Girl Scout Alumni and Friends, as well as Botanica. She was active in Eastern Star and the Wichita Symphony Women’s Association. She established the Wichita Chapter of Parents and Families of Lesbians and Gays and answered their helpline for many years out of her home. In 1990, Beverly traveled with her family to Oklahoma to see the AIDS Memorial Quilt. She was instrumental in bringing the Quilt to Wichita in 1991. If you knew Beverly Fiedler, you knew love.

As a troop leader, Board Member, camper, chaperone, sailboat navigator, committee member, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, confidante, sports enthusiast, and community leader, Beverly Fiedler truly embodied the Girl Scout Promise and inspired us all!

Shirley Mosher toggle arrow

2018 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Make New Friends but Keep the Old, One is Silver and the Other Gold…
This is one of the first songs Shirley learned when she joined Girl Scouts in 1941 at age 7. Shirley was a Girl Scout during World War II and remembers going door to door to collect items for the war effort. She continued through Intermediate and Senior Girl Scouts. Shirley attended Turkey Creek Camp for two years. Her mother, Marjorie Coombs, was one of her co-leaders and was also on the Girl Scout Board of Directors.

Shirley was married in 1956 to Richard Mosher. Together they have three children, Sandy, Ron and Sheryl. When Sandy began second grade, Shirley volunteered to be her Brownie leader. She continued on with both daughters as Brownie, Junior, and Cadette Leader. The troops enjoyed many Girl Scout activities, including frequent camping outings starting with Little House and Camp Seikooc. After the girls became seasoned campers, they enjoyed the ultimate challenge, “roughing it,” at Land’s End at Camp Wiedemann. During these years, she also volunteered in the Girl Scout Neighborhood as troop organizer, neighborhood chairman, cookie chairman, and camp promoter.

As the children got older, Shirley made the decision to seek employment. The Girl Scout council heard of her decision and it wasn’t long before she received a call from them. They offered her a paid position as a part-time Field Aide. She accepted. Thus began Shirley’s professional Girl Scout career.

During her Scouting career she has held many, many positions: field director, Older Girl Program and Planning Board Director, Camp Director at Camp Seikooc for eight years, program director and trainer, membership director supervising the field staff, special needs coordinator, camp coordinator, and Old Cowtown Coordinator. Shirley also had the opportunity to serve as Interim Executive Director between Karen McQuigan and Joann Kamas.

Shirley was employed by the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council in 1974 and retired, after 22 years, in 1996. But that was not the end of her Girl Scout career. Since retirement, she has remained active and worked with Girl Scout Alumni & Friends in many different ways, including holding the position of President of this dedicated group of Girl Scout supporters.

Shirley spent countless hours working with Dolores Crum on our council’s Historical Collection. The collection began in the basement of the Girl Scout Office and was moved to its current location at Starwoods Outdoor Center. Shirley spent at least 10 years gathering and organizing various historical Girl Scout artifacts collected locally and statewide.

Shirley Mosher has been involved with Girl Scouting for more than 70 years. She is a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts. During her years in Girl Scouting, she has met many wonderful people, and thus she personifies the song, Make New Friends but Keep the Old.

Dolores Collins Crum toggle arrow

2017 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Mary Dolores Collins Crum retired after 47 remarkable years of service to the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council. To Girl Scouting and in every phase of her life, Dolores has brought warmth, devotion and enthusiasm.

It was said at her retirement, “Dolores has worn so many hats in her tenure with Girl Scouting, it is safe to assume that she knows every facet of what it means to offer Girl Scouting to thousands of girls and adults.” She has served as Director of Camping, program, training, adult recruitment, and special events. The National Association of Girl Scout Executive Staff inducted Dolores into its Hall of Fame. Dolores’ influence continued for a number of years with one of the Girl Scout Alumni & Friends annual scholarships being named the Dolores Collins Crum Scholarship. Her expert writing and research skills came in handy when Dolores penned our Girl Scout Council’s history book entitled For The Girls. This book chronicles the Council’s 75 year history, from 1925 to 2000.

Dolores’ committed citizenry extends through Girl Scouting and into the community. Her care for her church, her family and her community is reflected in her service to the Governor’s Commission on Juvenile Delinquency, United Way Committee to Offer Camping to Low Income Children, Model Cities Task Force on Recreation, The Junior League of Wichita, St. Thomas Aquinas Altar Society, Delta Delta Delta Alumnae, and League of Women Voters, to name a few. She has been married to Charles Crum for 57 years, and together they are passionate fans of Wichita State and KU Basketball.

Dolores Crum personifies the Girl Scouting movement and we are truly grateful for her generous service

Joann Kamas toggle arrow

2017 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Joann Kamas served as the Executive Director of the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council from 1987 to 1999, during which time she was known for her high-energy style of leadership, combined with a wonderful love for Girl Scouting and Girl Scout volunteers. She inspired many to make the Council an exceptional example of what Girl Scouting can be for all girls.

Joann put a premium on the importance of volunteering; she truly practiced what she preached. Prior to taking the position as Executive Director, Joann served as a member of the council’s Board of Directors, as well as two terms as President. Joann was active as a council committee member and troop leader. She also served in many other community and professional organizations.

Joann took the initiative to work with the City of Wichita to establish the current network of bike trails and to educate the public about the importance of water conservation.

Joann once said, "I would like to leave a small mark. Sometimes I think people are afraid to give of themselves, but once they know what it feels like, they're hooked. You feel like a valuable person when you're giving."

In fact, many in this room today were “hooked” by Joann’s ability to bring together volunteers with shared talents and their love for Girl Scouts. In return, many friendships were made that have lasted a lifetime.

Joann died suddenly March 26, 1999 after suffering a heart attack while vacationing in Amman, Jordan, with her family.

Joann Kamas left more than a small mark on our community. We will well remember her love of Girl Scouting, her commitment to helping girls become the leaders of tomorrow, her strong example, her tireless energy and her ability to make all she knew feel welcomed, valued and a friend.

Gladys Wiedemann toggle arrow

2017 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Gladys Gardner and Karl T. (K.T.) Wiedemann were married on July 22, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Gladys was born and raised. K.T. was originally from El Dorado, Kansas. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Wichita to be closer to their business interests. Together they shared a deep love for the scenic Flint Hills of Kansas.

To help support the place in which they lived and operated their business, the couple established the K.T. Wiedemann Foundation, Inc. in 1959. Mrs. Wiedemann was extremely active in the foundation, with the vision for a finer quality of life in Wichita and the state of Kansas. The foundation supported many organizations, but Gladys took a special interest in youth and particularly in the Girl Scouts.

In 1959, a campsite of 120 acres near Beaumont, Kansas, was purchased from the Wiedemann's and became the council’s first resident camp. In 1961 it was named Camp Wiedemann. The camp welcomed its first campers in 1967 and served thousands of girls and adults over the next 37 years. Mrs. Wiedemann enjoyed visiting the camp during the summer program, and the campers were excited to visit with the camp’s namesake, too.

Mrs. Wiedemann was actively involved in the foundation until her death in 1991. We are grateful for all the memories and opportunities that were bestowed by Mrs. Wiedemann’s giving spirit. It has been said that if you listen closely, you can hear girls’ voices and the melody of the song “Welcome to Wiedemann” drifting through the blue-stemmed grasses of the Flint Hills. Thank you, Mrs. Wiedemann.

Bertha Milbank toggle arrow

2016 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Bertha Milbank was born in 1911 in New Mexico Territory. Throughout her 101 years, Bertha forged her way in life with determination and a firm direction for the future. She graduated from Missouri Valley College with a degree in math and physical education and supported herself through the Great Depression being paid in scrip, not cash. She later married Dr. George Milbank and had two daughters, Elizabeth and Sally.

As in everything, she poured herself into innumerable civic groups — often as board chair or president. These include Wichita Area Girl Scout Council, medical auxiliaries, the arts, parliamentarians (local and national), Episcopal Church groups (local and national), Daughters of the American Colonies and the American Revolution and Kansas Children's Service League.

Bertha was also focused on teaching future leaders, especially young girls. She guided others to use their talents for the greater good and to make a difference in the world. She taught by example and to give completely of oneself in time, talent and resources.

As a leader among leaders, Girl Scouts fit perfectly with the goals and aspirations she held dear. Bertha would be proud of the newly formed Juliette's Pearls Leadership Society, where girls will thrive with the support of so many mentors.

Carrie May Carson toggle arrow

2016 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Mrs. Frank L. Carson, Carrie May, contributed to the success and growth of Girl Scouts in the very early years of the Wichita Girl Scout Council, chartered in 1925. The first record we have of Carrie May’s Girl Scout involvement is in the 1929 First Presbyterian Church records as a committee member for Troop 1. Undoubtedly, she contributed to the arrangements and successful convening in Wichita of delegates from five states at the Covered Wagon Region Girl Scouts Conference in April, 1930. This early 1930s photograph (shown above) depicts Carrie May with her four daughters, Mary Martha, Virginia, Frances and Caroline, all members of Troop 1.

By this time she was a First Deputy Commissioner of the council and she also continued to support activities of Troop 1. Early council records are sparse, but we know that Carrie May’s active council involvement continued through at least 1935, when she is cited for her “untiring efforts” in planning a Field Institute gathering in January. Her daughters also remained active Girl Scout members, with Mary Martha joining the camp staff in 1933 and leading archery activities. Frances and Virginia are mentioned as girl leaders during the Wichita Girl Scout Conference in 1937 celebrating Girl Scouting’s 25th anniversary. It is thanks to the vision and efforts of women such as Carrie May Carson, that Girl Scouts prospered from a troop of eight girls to a council of more than 1,000 girls and 116 leaders by 1939.

Edna Mae Deines toggle arrow

2016 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Edna Mae Deines is a lifelong Girl Scout; however, her actual scouting experience started as a Cub Scout leader for her son Brian’s den. When her daughter, Tracey, reached Brownie age, Edna joined as well as a troop leader. Together they journeyed through Tracey’s Senior Girl Scout experience. Edna took the same tactic with her daughters Shelley and Darcey; thus, she was a leader for 21 years and for 12 of those years she led two troops.

In addition, Edna also served as the Neighborhood Chairman. Under Edna’s guidance the Girl Scouts were visible in the WaKeeney community: volunteering, earning badges, camping and being featured monthly for their accomplishments in the hometown newspaper. Beyond her local leadership positions, Edna served as District III Chairman (1977-1983), served on the Sunflower Council Board (1977-1983), and participated as Girl Scout founder “Juliette Low” at the 75th Daisy’s Diamond Celebration (1912-1987). Her active service to the Girl Scouts totaled 32 years. Edna received the Girl Scout Neighborhood Chairman of the Year Award (1977-1978), Scouter of the Year Sunflower Council (1982-1983), and the Juliette Gordon Low Girl Scout of the Year Award (1991). A native of WaKeeney, Edna is the wife of Myron Deines, the loving mother of four children, Brian, Tracey, Shelley and Darcey, and the grandmother of six.

Dr. Martha Housholder toggle arrow

Coleen Dyson toggle arrow

2023 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Sandy Remsberg toggle arrow

2023 Legacy Pearl Honoree

In 2018, Sandy was surprised to receive, from the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council, the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant contributions to Girl Scouting.

Jane Pracht Lambertz toggle arrow

2022 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memoriam

Jan Chandler Randle toggle arrow

2022 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Dee Rolph

2021 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Marge Kirby toggle arrow

2019 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Jayne Sheils Smith toggle arrow

2019 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Beverly Fiedler toggle arrow

2018 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Shirley Mosher toggle arrow

2018 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Dolores Collins Crum toggle arrow

2017 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Dolores Crum personifies the Girl Scouting movement and we are truly grateful for her generous service

Joann Kamas toggle arrow

2017 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Joann took the initiative to work with the City of Wichita to establish the current network of bike trails and to educate the public about the importance of water conservation.

Joann died suddenly March 26, 1999 after suffering a heart attack while vacationing in Amman, Jordan, with her family.

Gladys Wiedemann toggle arrow

2017 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Bertha Milbank toggle arrow

2016 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Carrie May Carson toggle arrow

2016 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Edna Mae Deines toggle arrow

2016 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Dr. Martha Housholder toggle arrow

Coleen Dyson toggle arrow

2023 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Sandy Remsberg toggle arrow

2023 Legacy Pearl Honoree

In 2018, Sandy was surprised to receive, from the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council, the Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant contributions to Girl Scouting.

Jane Pracht Lambertz toggle arrow

2022 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memoriam

Jan Chandler Randle toggle arrow

2022 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Dee Rolph

2021 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Marge Kirby toggle arrow

2019 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Jayne Sheils Smith toggle arrow

2019 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Beverly Fiedler toggle arrow

2018 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Shirley Mosher toggle arrow

2018 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Dolores Collins Crum toggle arrow

2017 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Dolores Crum personifies the Girl Scouting movement and we are truly grateful for her generous service

Joann Kamas toggle arrow

2017 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Joann took the initiative to work with the City of Wichita to establish the current network of bike trails and to educate the public about the importance of water conservation.

Joann died suddenly March 26, 1999 after suffering a heart attack while vacationing in Amman, Jordan, with her family.

Gladys Wiedemann toggle arrow

2017 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Bertha Milbank toggle arrow

2016 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Carrie May Carson toggle arrow

2016 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memorium

Edna Mae Deines toggle arrow

2016 Legacy Pearl Honoree

Legacy Pearl Honorees

2026 Legacy Pearl Honorees

2025 Legacy Pearl Honoree

2023 Legacy Pearls Honorees

2022 Legacy Pearls Honorees

2021 Legacy Pearls Honorees

2019 Legacy Pearls Honorees

2018 Legacy Pearls Honorees

2017 Legacy Pearls Honorees

2016 Legacy Pearls Honorees