Mary Lucille Berthold
July 03, 1941 - November 12, 2025
Obituary
LODI - Mary Lucille Berthold, age 84, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Sienna Crest Lodi after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born on July 3, 1941, in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of Lawrence and Constance (Barraclough) Haines.
After graduating from Upper Darby High School, Upper Darby, PA. in 1959, Mary earned her bachelor’s degree from Lebanon Valley College - PA. While waitressing in Rockport, MA, during summer break from college, she met her future husband, her confidante, and best friend, Peter Berthold.
After graduating from their respective colleges, Mary and Peter were married on June 6, 1963, in Upper Darby, PA. Shortly after, they moved to Madison, Wisconsin to further their education.
Mary balanced becoming a mother to Laurel and earning a doctorate degree in English. To say she was bright would be an understatement, as she was brilliant. She was employed with the UW-Madison English Dept. until her retirement. She made a profound impact on the graduate and doctoral students whom she assisted write and defend their English theses and dissertations when English was their second language. In addition, she was a volunteer docent at the Elvehjem Museum of Art, giving tours to elementary-age students sharing with them her love of all forms of art and art history.
After raising two daughters and retiring, Mary continued to volunteer as a docent and for local elections. Mary enjoyed a variety of interests including playing the piano, reading, genealogy and spending a great deal of time creating and maintaining beautiful flower and vegetable gardens surrounding the home she shared with Peter in Lodi.
However, Mary most loved becoming a grandmother to Zac and Maddie. Being “Grammy“ was her most fulfilling and magical role and brought her and her grandchildren absolute joy and endless memories. She and her husband Peter traveled frequently to Michigan to spend time with their grandchildren and watch them grow up. While Peter or “Grampie” was documenting this with photographs, Grammy was always the favorite playmate, engaged in endless games of living room hockey and basketball, reading stories, dress-up, tea parties, art projects, outdoor adventures, and general hysterics and shenanigans. Survivors include her daughters, Laurel Jopke of Madison, WI and Rachel Telder of Lansing, MI; her grandchildren, Zachary Jon Paul Telder and Madison Clarice Telder, of Lansing, MI; her brother, Richard (Dick) Haines and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Peter, on September 26, 2025; her parents and brother, Robert (Bob) Haines.
Mary will be forever loved and fiercely missed!
Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON LODI FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 157 S. Main St., Lodi, at 11:30 am on Monday November 24, 2025, with Rev. Scott Marrese-Wheeler presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 am until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her honor to Agrace Hospice in Madison, WI at www.agrace.org
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com
Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 South Main Street
(608) 592-3201