Betty Lou Kelch

Betty Lou Kelch, our dear mom, peacefully entered eternal rest on July 2, 2021. She Was 87 years old. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA where at 18 years old she met her husband and love of her life Donald P. Kelch while roller-skating. They were happily wed in 1953. In 1962, a job transfer brought them to reside in Sunnyvale, CA. Betty Lou was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest was 10 years old. She then began her career as a Salesclerk at "Mervyns" in Cupertino, CA, where she retired after 20 years of service in 1995. After unexpectedly losing her husband that same year, she moved to Windsor, CA to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Betty Lou began volunteering almost immediately at the Windsor Senior Center. Before long, she was teaching senior aerobics classes with the never-ending fun and enthusiasm that was so contagious to all her friends. She loved being a part of all the activities, events, and trips the senior center offered, and visited so many wonderful places with her friends. In 2019, she moved to Bend, OR to live near her youngest daughter. She resided at Mt. Bachelor Assisted Living and Memory Care, where she was loved by so many caregivers and staff. Near the end of her life, her nurses from Heart and Home Hospice lovingly watched over her. Betty Lou is preceded in death by her husband Donald P. Kelch (1995) and son Bruce K. Kelch (1988). She is survived by her daughters Darlene Nellis of Santa Rosa; Dawn Widen of Durango, CO; and Roxane Smith of LaPine, OR.; Granddaughters Breanne Billeter, Jamie and Megan Nellis, and Siena Widen; and Great Grandchildren Emmylou, Lincoln, and Clayton Billeter. Funeral Mass was held at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church of Bend, OR on July 6, 2021. She will be laid to rest beside her husband Donald and son Bruce at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, located at 22555 Cristo Ray Drive in Los Altos, CA on Tuesday, July 20th at 11 a.m. A gathering of friends and family will be held at the Windsor Senior Center, located at 9231 Foxwood Dr. in Windsor, CA on Wednesday, July 21st at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation or a local hospice foundation.

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Betty Lou Kelch

April 23, 1934 - July 2, 2021