Mary Kathryn Berhow, 82

September 16, 2025

Mary Kathryn Berhow, 82, of Lancaster, passed away September 16, 2025, at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Madison, WI, she was the second daughter of William and Vera Broome. The family lived in Cottage Grove, WI before moving to Rice Lake, WI when Mary was 4 months old. Five other siblings were born there.

Mary graduated from Rice Lake, WI High School in 1961. She attended Barron County Teachers College and taught one year in Omaha, Nebraska. After returning to Wisconsin, she taught 3rd grade at a consolidated school system in Central WI. Here she met Bennett Berhow, her future husband, who taught at Royall High School. They were married August 17, 1966 and have two daughters, Jana and Jodi.

Ben received a National Science Foundation grant for study at the University of North Dakota, where they were for 9 years. He received his Master’s and Doctorate degrees and taught at the University for 6 years. In 1978, they returned to WI where Bennett accepted a position at the University of WI-Whitewater and later became Associate Dean of Education. Mary volunteered her time as General 4-H Leader for 3 years and taught sewing and knitting while also Volunteering as CO President of Orchestra Boosters. In 1991, Mary graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, finishing the degree she began many years ago.

In 1992, Ben and Mary moved to Lancaster, PA for Ben’s position as Dean of Education at Millersville University of PA. Mary volunteered at the Lancaster County Historical Society and later was hired as a Research Assistant. Mary was Acting Archivist for 6 months until a new Archivist was hired. Following that experience, Mary organized and established a Gift Shop for the first addition to the building.

Genealogy was always an interest and Mary began taking courses and researching their families.
Travel included many sites of their ancestors. These include Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, England, Northern Ireland, and Southern Scotland. Mary published a family history, “Hans and Anna Skinvik: From Norway to Wisconsin” about her Great Grandparents. While employed as a Research Assistant, Mary also conducted genealogical research for Historical Society clients as a Research Assistant and for many family members.

Following Ben’s retirement, he was hired as the Executive Secretary & Treasurer for the Teachers Education Counsel of Colleges and Universities. Mary was hired as his Assistant. They organized and conducted three Conferences a year at various locations around the United States. This allowed them to travel to all 50 of the United States.

They downsized and moved to two different Condos in the heart of Lancaster City. Here they attended Quest for Learning, a program of cultural & education classes for retired persons. They were season ticket holders for the Fulton Theater and attended performances at The Ware Center and Allegro. They also joined the Lancaster Torch Club.

Survivors include daughters Jana (Mark Braxton), Lorton, VA and Jodi, King of Prussia, PA.; granddaughter Melissa Dannemiller and great grandson Deo, Falls Church, VA and grandson, Bennett Dannemiller (Marly), El Paso, TX. Other survivors include her siblings, William (Luz), Bremerton, WA, Daniel (Karine), Williston, ND, Margie (John) Hubler, Mound, MN, Bradley (Michelle), Dickinson, ND and Douglas (Tami), Gig Harbor, WA. Mary was preceded in death by her sister and best friend, Beverly.

Services and burial will be at the convenience of the family with a Memorial Service at a future date.