PRAIRIE DU SAC - Peter Jones Berthold, age 85, unexpectedly yet peacefully passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025, at The Pines Assisted Living.

He was born on August 17, 1940, in New York, NY, the son of the late Ralph and Doris (Jones) Berthold.

After graduating from Rockport High School, Rockport, MA he met the love of his life, Mary Haines, whom he pursued and persuaded to marry him on June 6, 1963, in Upper Darby, PA. He then followed her to Wisconsin to pursue higher education, attending and earning a master’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Wisconsin became his new home, specifically the small town of Lodi and he loved taking long car rides with his wife and children along the peaceful and scenic country roads. If there was a way to make a short car trip turn into a magical adventure filled with farm animals, cats, interesting architecture and breath-taking scenery, Peter was your tour guide.

Peter was employed in a variety of jobs related to his love of photography and visual media presentation, ending his successful career at Alliant Energy in Madison, Wisconsin where he retired.

After retiring, Peter was involved in the local community, most notably the Lodi Library. However, he devoted most of his time and attention to maintaining his large Queen Anne-style home in Lodi, and more importantly, his beloved wife Mary Lou, whom he referred to as “Lamb Child” and he was her ever-devoted “Sheep Dog”.

Besides photography, Peter loved sailing and reading but loved most of all spending time with his wife and his grandchildren. He and Mary traveled frequently to Michigan to spend time with and document in photographs their grandchildren growing up.

In addition to Mary, his wife of 62 years, survivors include his children, Laurel Jopke of Madison, WI and Rachel Telder of Lansing, MI and his grandchildren Zachary Jon Paul Telder and Madison Clarice Telder, of Lansing, MI.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Gretchen Berthold.

Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON LODI FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 157 S. Main St., at 1:30pm on Monday Oct. 13, 2025. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12:00 noon until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his honor to Agrace Hospice in Madison, WI at www.agrace.org.

For more information and online condolences please visit www.gundersonfh.com

Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 South Main Street
(608) 592-3201

Peter J Berthold

August 17, 1940 - September 26, 2025

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