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As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:
Betzabe Maria “Betzi” Praeger, 93, a former MTU professor and resident of Houghton, passed away at U.P. Health System-Portage Pointe in Hancock on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 following a lingering illness.
She was born on April 14, 1932 in Chuquicamata, Chile (South America) the daughter of the late John Cook and Clara Betzabe (Herrera) Dyer. She came to the United States as a child in 1933. After High School, she earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley in 1953 and then her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Delaware in 1966.
Her career began as an assistant professor at Lincoln (Pennsylvania) University from 1966 to 1967, assistant professor at MTU from 1967 to 1974, associate professor at MTU 1974 to 1979, and adjunct associate professor at MTU since 1989. She was the principal literature scientist at Franklin Research Center in Philadelphia in 1979 and 1980, lecturer and associate professor at Bryn Mawr (Pennsylvania) College from 1980-1983, and visiting scientist at Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University in Boston from 1983 until 1988.
She was an American cell biologist, educator, Fulbright Scholar in 1971, a member of the American Association of University Professors, Gerontological Society, Tissue Culture Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Sigma Xi. Betzabe Maria Praeger has been listed as a noteworthy Cell biologist, educator by Marquis Who’s Who.
Her avocations include but were not limited to creative writing, drawing, painting, and music.
Betzi was first married to John A. C. Allison, later to Edward Peter Stanulis, and most recently to Frank Chiles Prager from February 17, 1979 until his passing on May 26, 2019.
Besides her parents and husband, Frank, she was also preceded in death by a daughter, Antonia Edith. She leaves behind many friends, associates, and former students.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock is in charge of the arrangements. A Natural Green burial has taken place at the Chassell Township Cemetery. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the donor’s favorite charity in the name of Bethzabe Marie Praeger.
To leave online condolences to be shared with her friends, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
