Frances Louise Rommel passed away peacefully in Bellingham on Nov. 22, 2018, at the age of 78.
Mom was born on Dec. 7, 1939 in Enumclaw to Josip and Nellie (Galutia) Mihelich. She is survived by her children, Michael (Jennifer), Brian, Erwin and Kevin; grandchildren Chelsie, Haley and Dylan; and siblings Nellie, Maria and Alvin.
Mom graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1958. She married Fred Rommel Jr. on June 26, 1959, and they were together for 56 years before his passing in 2015. She lived in Auburn, Sedro-Woolley, Ferndale and finally in Everson. Mom had an independent streak in her, even while raising us. She obtained her driver’s license in 1973 at the age of 34. Mom started working at Barter’s Drive-in immediately after obtaining her license. She worked at Discount City for several years and finished up her career back at Barter’s when it closed. Mom made the best pies and home-made egg noodles. Mom loved her Mariners, Bingo, and, if Edgar Martinez were a bit older, I’m sure our last name would have been Martinez.
Mom was preceded in death by our dad, sons John and Fredrick III, father Josip and mother Nellie, sister Sylvia, and brother Joe.
Mom will be missed by all who met her gentle soul; we are all better people for having known her.
A celebration of Frances’s life will be at 11 a.m Friday, Dec. 21, in Moles Farewell Tributes Greenacres, 5700 Northwest Dr., Ferndale.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Ferndale or Bellingham food banks.
Please share your memories of Frances at www.molesfarewelltributes.com.
