Obituary: Rotondo, Jan
She was born in Mason City, Iowa August 2, 1930 to George and Bess Donelson.
She graduated from Mason City High School in 1948.
After graduation, her mother moved to Spokane with Jan and her two sisters and two brothers.
Jan went to work for General Telephone Co., in downtown Spokane, and worked there until she married and had her two children, Kip Sammons (deceased) and Jodi (Sammons) Orvis.
She later worked for Albertson’s and the telephone company in Spokane and in Coeur d’ Alene.
In December 1968, Jan married the love of her life, Frank Rotondo.
She worked side-by-side with Frank for decades at their restaurant, The Town and Country.
Jan created several of the popular restaurant’s famous dishes, including “Jan Salad” and “The Town and Country potato.”
Frank and Jan retired in 1994.
When Frank got ill in 2005, Jan became his faithful and loving caregiver until 2010 when he passed away.
They were married 42 years.
Jan loved golfing.
She belonged to the 18-hole ladies club at Sundance, Esmeralda and Fairways but her favorite was Downriver Golf Course.
She loved to walk and for years walked two to three miles each day, and she did everything she could to keep herself healthy.
Jan is survived by her daughter Jodi (Chuck) Orvis, her brother Jerry Donelson and sister Elaine Botts who took loving care of her in her final months and days and was with her when she died.
A memorial Mass will be held Friday, February, 15 at 11 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church.
Memorial contributions in Jan’s honor can be made to Hospice House, P.O.
Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210.