Frances Moellman

1936 - 2024

Frances Moellman

February 22, 1936 - May 8, 2024

Olympia, Washington - Frances Moellman died May 8, 2024, at Providence St. Peter Hospital from complications following surgery. Fran was born February 22, 1936, in Portland, Oregon, to John Herman Moellman and Emily Ann (Schunk) Moellman. She and her brothers and sisters grew up on a small farm in Tigard, Oregon. She attended grade school at St. Anthony. In 1954, she received her high school diploma from St. Mary of the Valley Academy. She graduated from University of Portland with her BS in nursing in 1958.

After living in a small community and attending Catholic schools, Fran was ready to spread her wings and see the world. She became a nurse at The Queen's Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was a fun and exciting time for the next three years. She enjoyed being there for the BIG celebration of Hawaii's statehood

Fran returned to the mainland to try industrial nursing for a while but soon returned to hospital nursing in Lake Tahoe. She loved the beauty of the area and built a home overlooking the lake. While nursing in Lake Tahoe, she heard how much card dealers made in the casinos so she took a break from nursing and dealt cards for a short while. During that time, she began saving silver dollars, which became a lifelong interest.

Fran was briefly married to Don Miller, who she met in Lake Tahoe. Though the marriage didn't last, it inspired Fran to re-evaluate her goals. She decided to go back for her Masters in Nursing. In 1969, she was accepted at the University of Washington and moved to Seattle.

Fran's proudest achievement came during her RN graduate program. As her Masters project, Fran founded and maintained for three years, a First Aid Station in the Skid Road area of Seattle. She recruited volunteer RNs, doctors and students to help staff the clinic. The clients the clinic served gave Fran an honorary name that she was very proud of: "First Avenue Fran."

For the last 27 years of her nursing career, Fran transitioned into Administrative Nursing for the State of Washington. Fran surveyed Nursing Homes for the Bureau of Nursing Home Affairs, wrote policies and procedures for the Division on Aging, Maternal and Child Health Division and for Addiction and Recovery Services.

Settling in the Tenino area, Fran and her business partner and housemate, Alberta "Berta" Larson, built a beautiful home on the Deschutes River and developed Moe-Lar Enterprises rental houses, raising beef cattle and logging and managing timber land. Fran and Berta both served on the Tenino Historical Society, were active in St. Peter Catholic Church, and enjoyed fishing and camping.

Though Fran never had children of her own, she loved her family and had a special place in the hearts of her nieces and nephews. They would come and stay with her and enjoy special times together. As she grew older, Fran treasured calls, cards and visits from her nieces and nephews as well as great and great-grands.

Fran was also adopted by families in the Tenino area. She loved sharing her home with her adopted families who looked forward to special Christmas parties and summer picnics and events at the river.

In retirement, Fran enjoyed volunteering and traveling. She enjoyed many big trips and cruises with family and long-time friends. She volunteered as a nurse for the American Red Cross in Thurston Co., Senior Services for South Sound as the Adult Day Program RN, and parish nursing at St. Peter and St. Michael Catholic Churches. Fran also served on the board of directors and was the Treasurer for over 10 years for The Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre.

Fran was proceeded in death by her mother, father, and her beloved brother, Johnny, as well as her dear friend, Alberta Larson. Fran is survived by her brother, Jim Moellman of Montana, her beloved sisters, Mary Ann Banky of California and Betty Stubbs of Oregon, and many beloved nieces and nephews and friends.

There will be a funeral Mass for Fran celebrated on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 12:00 noon at St. Michael Westside Chapel, 1835 Overhulse Rd. SW, Olympia, WA 98502. There will be a luncheon following at South Sound Manor, 455 North St. SE, Olympia, W 98503. Internment following the luncheon will be at Tenino Forest Grove Cemetery, 18011 Northcraft Rd., Tenino, WA 98589.

Please leave memories for the family through Funeral Alternatives of Washington at www.Afterall.com.