Preizler, Selma

SEATTLE - Selma Preizler, age 91, of Seattle, Wash., died on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006, at the Kline Galland Home. She was born in 1915, in Chester, Pa., to Ezra and Lena Lax. Selma grew up in Los Angeles, graduating from Beverly Hills High School. She trained to become a registered nurse at the Los Angeles County Hospital. She married Dr. Josef Preizler, in 1939, in Budapest, Hungary, who predeceased her in 1988. Joe was the state epidemiologist at the Wisconsin Division of Health from 1958 until 1975. They have four surviving children, Linda Preizler of Seattle, Martin (Lynn) of Madison, Howard of Madison, and Jon (Dandan) of Seattle. Selma was also blessed with six grandchildren, Kate, Josh, Jason, Jon, David and Julie; and two great-grandchildren, Schaffer and Natalie. Selma lived with her family in Madison from 1958 until 1976, moving to the west coast following Joe's retirement. Selma worked for many years as a nurse at the Wisconsin School for Girls, near Madison. In her mid-60s she studied to become a nurse practitioner in family planning. She was one of the oldest students to graduate from The John's Hopkins Medical School Nurse Practitioner program. She also studied at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. She worked until her early 70s in family planning clinics. For many years Selma was active in the Temple Beth El Sisterhood and Hadassah. She loved to learn, taking classes at UW Extension and Madison Area Technical College. She was artistic and creative, and an exceptionally skilled baker, seamstress and potter. A private family memorial service will be conducted in Seattle.