Former Alaska resident Christian Seely, 70, of Spirit Lake, Idaho, died Feb. 22, 2005, at Kootenai Medical Center in Idaho of heart failure.
A celebration of his life was held in Rathdrum, Idaho.
He was born Dec. 10, 1934, in Missoula, Mont., to Thomas and Zola (Tandberg) Seely.
Mr. Seely grew up and attended schools in Missoula. He attended Loyola University in Baton Rouge, La., and served in the U.S. Army.
He married Ginger Arthurs on May 31, 1957, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
They moved to Anchorage in 1982. He retired in 2001 from his career as a cabinetmaker and then moved to American Falls, Idaho. The Seelys returned to northern Idaho to build their retirement home in Spirit Lake.
Mr. Seely enjoyed fishing, camping and experiencing all Alaska had to offer. He was an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles, cryptoquotes and playing Texas hold ’em poker.
He is survived by his wife, Ginger of Spirit Lake; daughters, Catherine Fretwell and Laura Milks; mother and stepfather, Zola and Edward Gay; sister, Susan Steinke; and brother, Steve Seely, all of the Lower 48; brother, Scott Seely of Anchorage; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Christian and Eric.
Published Anchorage Daily News on March 9, 2005
