Ellen Fetscher

Ellen Witt Bentley Fetscher died peacefully at her home of natural causes at the age of 97 on Dec. 21, 2014. She was born June 26, 1917, to Grace Witt Bentley and Earnest Bentley, the middle child in a Napa, California, farming family. Of her six siblings, only Peggy Meister survives her. She attended the Soda Canyon School and later the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco. While there, she met and married Albert W. Fetscher of Montana in 1938.

After World War II and the birth of their daughter Lynn and son Allen, they returned to Al's family home in the Bitterroot Valley, where Ellen supported Al's logging contracting business, lending essential organizational and bookkeeping skills to its success. After briefly residing in Seeley Lake and Hot Springs, the family lived in Missoula for many years. They enjoyed golfing, belonging to the Missoula Country Club, and played bridge enthusiastically, as well as enjoying many good times at Flathead Lake.

After Al's early passing in 1973, Ellen made a strong independent life for herself in Missoula, pursuing her enthusiasm for painting, gardening, traveling, golfing, playing bridge, and bringing joy to her grandchildren both in Phoenix and Missoula. She worked diligently at developing her painting skills, signing her paintings with her mother's name, Witt. Both her oil paintings and watercolors grace many homes in Missoula and are treasured mementos for family members.

Ellen loved her cabin at Flathead Lake and shared it not only with her family, but also with her friends and even Soroptimist visitors from Mexico. In later years she visited Japan, Australia and Turkey with Soroptimist groups, continuing to expand her enjoyment and understanding of the world as she knew and interacted with it.

Ellen was vital and active through the summer of 2014, when she continued to attend family gatherings. She last went swimming in Flathead Lake at the age of 92.

Ellen is survived by her daughter Lynn Mitchell of Phoenix; son, Allen Fetscher (Candace) of Missoula; as well as grandchildren, Laura (Paul) Coffey of Conifer, Colorado, Kristin Mitchell (Brian Newman) of Kalispell, Burke Fetscher (Maureen) of Chicago and Emilie Fetscher of Wellington, New Zealand; great-grandchildren, Tatum and Megan Coffey and Nevin Fetscher; and her sister, Peggy. Her husband Al predeceased her, as did her brothers Ben and Tom Bentley, her sisters Grace, Lillian, and Beatrice and her son-in-law Richard Mitchell.

A private family burial has been held at the Missoula City Cemetery. A celebration of Ellen's life will be held next summer, near to what would have been her 98th birthday. The family wishes to thank her physicians and the several people who so devotedly and gently cared for her in her final weeks, allowing her to remain in the home she loved. You all came to know that indomitable spirit that we all now miss.

Memorials can be sent to the Missoula Art Museum, Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula Youth Homes, University Congregational Church or the charity of a donor's choice.
Read Ellen Fetscher's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.