Obituaries
Erla J. Fetty, 84
August 18, 2017
Erla Jane Fetty, 84, of New Holland, passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017, at Wellspan Ephrata Community Hospital. Born in Brickerville to the late Lester E. and Anna Mary (Herr) Rettew, she was the loving wife of Sanford E. Fetty, with whom she celebrated over 37 years of marriage.
Following her career of over 20 years of waitressing, Erla found success and joy in making German-style teddy bears to sell at local craft shows and flea markets, where she and her husband met many new friends and acquaintances from all over the US. Erla spent most hours in her kitchen cooking, baking, and processing local fruits, as well as vegetables from her garden, and was well-known for sharing with family, friends and neighbors. Her pastimes included playing the slot machines at casinos and frequenting yard sales. She will be remembered for her spirit of generosity and missed dearly.
In addition to her husband, Erla is survived by her children: Donna (Mohler) Lloyd, wife of Ed, of Manheim and Dale Mohler, husband of Diana, of Manheim; her step-children: Sandra (Fetty) Rice, wife of Ric, of Phoenixville; Steven Fetty, of Elkton, MD; and Margery(Fetty) Weaver, wife of Mark, of Oxford; 7 grandchildren: Regan (Lloyd) Zaludek, Denton Mohler, Dalene (Mohler) Renner, Derek Mohler, Taylor (Rice) Saul, Amelia (Rice) Hackett, and Jared Weaver; 3 great-grandchildren: Amity Lloyd; Dominick Zaludek, and Jaxon Hackett; and siblings: Robert Rettew, Brigham City, UT; Mabel Goslin, of West Chester; and Linda Lash, of Ephrata. Erla was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Donald Mohler; grandchild, Darbi Mohler; sister, Arlene Shank; sister, Nancy Sweigart; and brother Ronald Rettew.
Funeral services for Erla will be private and at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place in Brickerville United Lutheran Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Erla’s memory to Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
November 18, 2024
I have loved Erla’s bears for years. I have many of them and some are so incredible! She had to be a wonderful person. I am proud to have quite a number of her creations as something about them are so incredible. I am so glad to have a small collection and to have found her obituary on Google. She contributed her art to society! I hope her family is well. I felt the need to acknowledge her talents and wish I had known her. Thank you for letting me share!
February 02, 2018
I have just discovered Erla Fetty bears and they are adorable! She was so very talented! They are so expressive and unique. I hope to obtain one soon. She must have been a special lady. 🙂
October 10, 2017
We can’t begin to express our deep sadness after learning that we lost Erla. She was a kind and generous woman. Also, a talented artist making the best Teddy Bears we have ever seen. We are so glad to have made friends with her and Gene. We each hugged an “Erla” bear to remember her.
God speed Erla – we look forward to seeing you on the other side.
Lovingly,
Mike & Bill – York, PA
August 27, 2017
So sorry for your loss. Mrs. Fetty was a very special lady. It was a pleasure to be neighbors when I was younger to the Fettys. Prayers for comfort for your family!
Dana Armbrust Riehl
August 23, 2017
Thoughts and prayers with the family. She was a kind and very sweet lady. I used to work in New Holland and remember her bringing us cookies. I also have one of her bears that I bought from her at the Lititz craft show. She will surely be missed. Sherry Bowden
August 23, 2017
Gene, Jane and I were so sorry to hear of Earla’sl passing. She was such a special person whose kindness and caring touched so many of us and she will be dearly missed.
Gene, Earla loved you and was so thankful for all you did for her and how you cared for her during her illness. If there is any peace to be found now, it is knowing that Earla is now pain free and assigned her angel status to look after you. She will be baking for a bunch”..”.”
We are only a phone call away for you.
Love & prayers,
Barb and Jane
August 22, 2017
Gene and family. We are thinking of you at this sad time of your lives. Erla was a wonderful friend and we are so glad we learned to know her during the days when we were in craft shows together. May you experience Gods comfort and the caring the many who knew her.
Jeanette and Paul Metzler
