Frances Katherine Divelbiss

Mrs. Frances Katherine (Glondo) Divelbiss, a lifetime Roslyn resident, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Roslyn with committal to follow at the Roslyn Veterans Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Roslyn Masonic Hall (same building as the Roslyn post office). The Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 19 also at the Church. 

Fran was born on March 20, 1939 in the coal miner’s boarding house in Roslyn to Joseph & Caterina “Kate” (Marotich) Glondo. She grew up in Roslyn and graduated from Cle Elum High School in 1957. Following graduation, Fran attended one year of college at CWU before marrying Dave Divelbiss on May 3, 1958. 

Since Dave was a career Navy officer, for the first 20 years after their marriage, Fran faithfully fulfilled the role of “Military Wife and Mother”, caring for their three children and making sure that they were packed and ready to move with each duty assignment change that came their way. The whole family particularly enjoyed their two years in Italy.  Following Dave’s retirement from the Navy in the late 1970’s, they returned to Roslyn and have resided there since.

Fran owned and operated “Fran’s Wanderings” gift shop in Roslyn while also helping  her daughters with their business ventures. For the 12 years before her retirement, Fran worked as a office administrator for the US Forest Service at the Cle Elum Ranger District. She had a unique interest in dancing from a young age and over the years she became a very talented dancer - and later operated her own dance school - specializing in ballet, tap and toe dancing.

In retirement, Fran and Dave enjoyed going out dancing, traveling and spending time with their grandchildren.  Fran and Dave also helped organize the first Coal Miner’s Festival in Roslyn, an event that continues to this day.  Fran was also a lifetime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Roslyn - the church she was baptized in, married in, and will also have her funeral in.

Fran’s love in her life was her family.  She loved each and every one of them, treasuring all the time she got to spend with them. In the last few years, Fran really brightened up while helping her daughter and grandchildren at Village Pizza. It brought back a smile to her face that her kids hadn’t seen since Dave passed away. Each and every person who knew Fran will miss her beautiful smile and loving personality.

Fran is survived by her son David (Michelle) Divelbiss of California; daughters Kathy (Barry) Carlson of Cle Elum and Carla (Jack) Blum of Roslyn; brother Charlie (Randine) Glondo of Cle Elum; grandchildren Kristin Kammeier, Alycia Lamar, Jason Kittelson, Ryan Lamar and Caden Divelbiss; step-grandchildren Danielle Steagall, Dennae Smith, Dominique Winslow as well as several great-grandkids. Fran also has several nieces and nephews including Vince Glondo, Dena Glondo, Melissa Winborne, Palona Glondo and Teresa Standish and all their beautiful children.

She was preceded in death by her husband and both her parents.  Fran will be sorely missed here.

Memorial contributions in Fran’s honor are suggested to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or to the Roslyn Fire Department.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Cle Elum. Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com