For many BHS students who went to Burton, Beth Krehbiel was a prominent figure in their childhood. As the principal, she ran the school with incredible kindness and patience, earning the respect of both staff and students. She worked in the district for many years starting as a first-grade teacher working her way up to be the principal. After a 3 year battle with breast cancer, she passed away in November 2025, just two years after retiring in 2023. Her legacy, however, will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
Mrs. Krehbiel retired in June 2023 after 39 years as a staff member within the Berkley School District. She began as a first grade teacher at Rogers, taught second and fifth grade at Burton, became an assistant principal at Norup, principal at Angell, and finished her career as Burton’s principal.
She showed compassion to each and every one of her staff and students. She remembered all the names of her former students and cared immensely for her community. Her presence greatly impacted those around her.
Her relationships with her staff differed from other principles. Burton fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Rentrop looks back on her years working with Krehbiel, she states “Beth Krehbiel was my principal at Burton Elementary for 15 years, she was my boss, but she was also, more importantly, my mentor.” The impact Krehbiel had on Rentrop is one that will last forever. “She taught me so much about teaching, how to nurture students, and how to handle challenging situations.”
It was clear she genuinely cared for her staff and students. Her job was her passion and her love for the school was tremendous. “She loved the kids and was happy to be able to spend her days with them at Burton,” Rentrop remarks.
Burton fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Koretz remembers Krehbiel and fondly shares her impacts. “Maribeth Krehbiel changed my life. She saw something in me that not even I saw in myself. She believed in me when I had given up on myself long ago and helped me rediscover my passion for teaching.”
She says “I felt seen, valued, respected and cared for. She has earned my respect, my loyalty and my heart.” Forever grateful to have her presence and heart in her life.
Krehbiel left lasting impressions on her staff. “She always had a kind and supportive word when I needed it most,” Rentrop says. She supported her staff with patience and compassion, and Rentrop adds, “Beth’s smile absolutely lit up a room and her laugh was the loveliest sound I will never forget.”
Rentrop recalls a fond memory she shared with Krehbiel, “I think the funniest memory I have of her was when she was demonstrating how to use an EpiPen for the staff during one of the first staff meetings of the new school year. She accidentally grabbed an actual EpiPen instead of the trainer (no medication) pen. She gave herself an epinephrine shot by accident. We were worried but she was fine and laughed about it in the end.”
Krehbiel’s time at Burton was meaningful and influential. She cared immensely for her community and led the school with compassion that shaped the lives of those around her. Her legacy of kindness will be remembered for generations. In February 2026, around her birthday, there will be a celebration to honor her life.
She was the principal at Burton, but she was also so much more than that. Her impacts will live on in those who knew her. She was looked up to by many and beloved by all. Burton has been fortunate enough to have her grace its halls. She will be missed greatly but never forgotten by the Berkley School District.
