Fern Loraine Bartell-Elrich was born in Bentonville, Arkansas on May 30, 1933 to parents Jack and Clara Bassham. She graduated from high school in Mississippi in 1951 and shortly after her family moved to Bakersfield, California. Fern married Clarence Henry (Bart) Bartell and supported his work as founder of Youth For Christ ministry here in the Central Valley. The couple continued their work diligently with Billy Graham Worldwide Ministry, which led them to Hawaii and Minnesota before returning to Central California. Fern raised 4 children and was always quite active in both Church and community. She was widowed in 1976. Fern married Lawrence Elrich in Bakersfield, California on March 18, 2006 and the couple have resided in Visalia. She was a superlative cook and a gifted seamstress. Fern also enjoyed nature and all of its offerings. In fact, she made a point of collecting small items that she had found to share with others; anything from interesting rocks and sea shells to bird nests. Fern was a loving woman and cared for many. She will be deeply missed. Fern is survived by her husband, Lawrence; her children, Randy Bartell and wife Ida Lujan, Linda Bartell M.D. and husband Rev. Karl Funk, Cheryl Nadeau, and Bradley Bartell and wife Cathy; grandchildren, Clara Funk, Ceara Kelley, Lauren and husband Joe Billick, and Lindsey and husband AJ Shortley; great grandchildren Ana and Amaya Kelley; as well as Lawrence's children, Caryn and husband Tom Funkhouser, Curt Elrich and wife Susan, Colette and husband Rev. Danny Krause, and Charis and husband Eric Eyrand; with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Fern Loraine Bartell-Elrich died in Visalia, California on March 26, 2017. Services will be held Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Rosedale Bible Church, 16000 Rosedale Hwy. Bakersfield, CA 93314. A viewing will begin at noon and funeral will begin at 1:00pm.