Fern Eileen Kelch

  HENDERSONVILLE – Fern Eileen Kelch passed away on September 25, 2023, at her home in Hendersonville, NC.

 Fern was born on July 20, 1935 in Fargo, North Dakota. She was the daughter of the late Freida Marie Weller and Andrew George Kaastad. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Diana Bentley; son, Joseph Bentley; father of her children, James Lee Bentley; sisters, Carol Boyle and Arlene Bengston; and brother, Alton Kaastad.

 Everyone who met Fern saw her kindness and generosity. She enjoyed reading, painting, thrift shopping, and quilting and sewing. She also enjoyed cooking and she was a lover of animals. Fern was independent and driven, or as we Bentley women call ourselves, stubborn. She lived life the way she wanted to “by God.”

 Ms. Kelch is survived by daughters, Catherine Bentley and Christina Wilhoite (Donald); son, Mike Bentley; five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

 Ms. Kelch’s memorial service will be held on Friday, October 6 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of West Funeral Home with a visitation afterward.

Condolences may be offered to the family under Ms. Kelch’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.