Frances Michelsen, a devoted partner, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on May 17, 2024, at age 96.
Born Frances Blumve on September 12, 1927, in Pasadena, California, she was the third of four sisters. She earned a degree in education from Stanford University. While at Stanford, Frances met Arve Michelsen. They married in June of 1951 and moved to Norway where Arve completed his service in the Royal Norwegian military. Returning to the US, they settled in Maryland with son Ari and daughter Anne Marie where she taught school for many years.
Frances was committed to her family with many vacations spent at the beach or skiing with her sisters and assorted nieces and nephews. This continued with her granddaughters, Sonja and Anna.
She was also an active member of the Norwegian Society of Washington, and the Norwegian Church. She might have been a California girl, but Frances and Arve cherished the culture and traditions of Norway and passed that love on to their children.
Frances is survived by her daughter, Anne Marie, her granddaughters Sonja and Anna, her daughters-in-law Sandy Stillwell and Miriam Cook, and numerous relatives across the US and Norway. She was preceded in death by her husband Arve who died September 10, 2018, and her son Ari who died September 28, 2017.
Memorial service will be held at 10:00am, July 27, 2024 at Riderwood Village Chapel, 3140 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20904.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011
