Mary Kathryn Krohlow, 80, of Burlington, died Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at her home.
Born May 1, 1944, in Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Edgar A. and Ruth E. Zuelke Krohlow. She attended Seymour High School, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1962. She continued her education and graduated from Wartburg College. Mary started her career in 1966 teaching English and serving as the staff advisor to the students who produced the newspaper, "The Purple and Gray" and the "Pathfinder" yearbook at Burlington Community High School.
Mary served on both the Burlington Public Library Board of Trustees and the Southeast Iowa Regional Library Board of Trustees. She was instrumental in the fundraising efforts for the present public library building. She spent many hours researching local history and published "Streets of Honor", telling many tales of Burlington's past. As a long-time board member, play producer and director of the Players' Workshop, she was currently working on preserving their history. Mary supported many other local organizations with her time and talents: the Burlington Municipal Band, Des Moines County Historical Society, Mock Trials, The Shakespeare Club, WIUM-FM (public radio) and local book clubs.
She loved watching women's athletics (Wartburg and Iowa games with Caitlyn Clark) and the Green Bay Packers. Mary had many adventures as she traveled the world for Benner Tea Company, Worldwide Chain Store Systems, Inc., Marwood Distribution Systems, Inc., and the British American Consulting Group, but she also enjoyed the time she spent with her friends and fellow volunteers in all of her varied activities. Her time, expertise, mentorship, and contributions to the Burlington-area community will be missed.
Survivors include her brother, Tom Krohlow; sister-in-law, Jan Krohlow; nephew, Todd Krohlow; niece, Tricia Hendricks; great niece, Skyelin Krohlow; great nephew, Austin Hendricks; aunt, Gloria Krohlow and many cousins, extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Patrick J. Krohlow.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
A celebration of life for Mary will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Players' Workshop, 1431 Grove Street, Burlington.
A celebration of life for Mary will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Cicero Town Hall, N9195 County Rd X, Black Creek, WI 54165. A private family burial will be in North Cicero Cemetery in Cicero Township, WI.
Memorials have been established for the Burlington Public Library, 210 Court Street, Burlington, Iowa, 52601; Players’ Workshop, PO Box 793, Burlington, Iowa, 52601; and Wartburg College, 100 Wartburg Boulevard, Waverly, Iowa 50677.