Bettie I. Kelchner
OBITUARY
Bettie I. (Leister) Kelchner of Fleetwood, PA, died peacefully on February 10, 2026 at the age of 86. She was born in Hanover, PA on January 30, 1940; a daughter of George R. and Mamie I. (Mummert) Leister. She graduated from Eichelberger High School in Hanover in 1957 and Reading Hospital School of Nursing in 1960.
She worked as an RN at Hanover General Hospital, the Reading Hospital, the Lutheran Home at Topton, and as an office nurse for K.P. Lambert, MD in Kutztown, PA. She served as Parish Secretary for 10 years and Financial Recording Secretary for 25 years at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kutztown.
She was an active parishioner at Trinity, serving on Church Council and on many committees. She especially enjoyed her time spent on the Service Committee and was the chairman of the Fastnacht Social for many years. She was the past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star Chapter 336.
Bettie’s favorite pastime was quilting. She made quilts for everyone in the family, recently having completed a quilt for each of her six great-grandchildren. She taught quilting classes and was a well respected judge of community quilting events. She was an avid baseball and football fan. She enjoyed reading books, dabbling in her own writings and eating chocolate.
Bettie is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Charles Kelchner. She is also survived by her three children: Susan, wife of Jonathan Kern, John, husband of Michelle (Brensinger) Kelchner, and Edward, husband of Andria Marcussen. She enjoyed spending time with her six grandchildren: Andrew, Jacob, and Jansen Kelchner, Alex Kern, Caroline Kern, and Heidi Kern Hannan. And she delighted in the tenderness of her six great-grandchildren: Scarlett, Jackson, Cecilia, Nora, Mallory, and Charlize. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. in Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 West Main St, Kutztown. Family and friends may gather at 10:00 A.M., before the service. Grave site service will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Kutztown.