Elizabeth “Betsy” Kraemer
Elizabeth “Betsy” Kraemer, (née Bentz) 86, died July 21, 2023, at Enloe Hospital in Chico after a brief illness. Born in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, on March 9, 1937, to the late Martha (Blasser) and Richard C Bentz. She is predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Walter R Kraemer and her beloved brother, Richard (Dick) Bentz.
Betsy started her career at the National Geographic Society in Washington DC in the 1950s as a photo archivist. While in DC she met her husband and they eventually moved to the San Francisco area which she called home for almost 40 years. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Radio and TV and Marin Community College for Accounting. She used this education to help manage her husband’s successful radio commercial business. In her later years, Betsy’s passion for history led her to work as an archivist for the Historical Society of Sausalito.
Betsy loved to travel and met many lifelong friends in the process, including Peter and Roz, who introduced her and Walt to the Genesee Valley where they eventually retired in their second home. She was very active in her Homeowner’s Association and was a Charter and Board Member of the Feather River Land Trust. She was also a longstanding member of the Stewardship Committee. She worked tirelessly to ensure that the Heart K Ranch be preserved and protected as a working ranch and you would often find her giving tours, raising money, or educating members of the community about the benefits of the Land Trust. She had varied interests and was an active participant whenever anyone needed a helping hand. Betsy had a legendary love of Bernese Mountain dogs and was a founding member of the Bay Area Bernese Association. If not home, you would find Betsy walking one of her many Berners along the back road.
Betsy is survived by four Benson cousins and many close friends from Plumas County and beyond whose lives were enriched by her keen wit, intelligent perspective, curious nature and generous spirit. She will be missed by all but in particular these dear friends who assisted her during her final years: Nancy, Dana, Trisha, Jean, Marty and Jake. A private celebration of her life is being planned for September in Genesee. Donations can be made in her name to the Feather River Land Trust.
Sad to lose such a special person.
Many people in Sausalito knew Betsy and so appreciated her involvement in the Historical Society. She was a valued resident.
Betsy and Walt were very close to my brother, Jim Cranna, and were very kind and supportive to me when I relocated to the Bay Area in the 1970s. Such interesting, creative and fun people. Betsy had many fascinating tales to tell and she was a wonderful raconteur. She will be missed.
I was lucky enough to call Betsy my godmother, although at times she felt more like a fairy godmother. She instilled in me my love of cooking, stewardship of the land and above all my love of dogs. She was the most unique and inspiring woman I’ve ever met.
i got to know betsy as her weekly massage therapist for the last year+ of her life. she became a dear friend and i will cherish her stories and her smile always!