Steve Douglas Seely, 69, of Rathdrum, Idaho, passed away Jan. 13, 2010, at Life Care Center in Post Falls, Idaho, with family at his side. Steve was born in Missoula, Mont., Aug. 24, 1940, to Thomas C. Seely and Zola (Tanberg) Seely.
He graduated from Baton Rouge High School in Louisiana and attended LSU on a swimming scholarship. He lived in Montana and Baton Rouge, La., and was blessed with three sons, Stephan, Trae' and Thomas; and twin daughters, Christina and Tanya. Steve pursued his love of swimming and sports his entire life by competing in triathlons, marathons and a variety of races. He also enjoyed coaching as well as coaching senior Olympic swimmers. While living in Baton Rouge, Steve was very active in the community, with his family and with Christian Life Academy. He was a positive influence in countless lives of many children.
Steve was an avid outdoorsman and imparted his love of "all things made by God" to his five children. His children and grandchildren were the light of his life. Steve loved to fish, hunt and wilderness camp with his best friend Carl Fauver. Their friendship spanned more than 40 years.
After retiring from sales, Steve moved to Rathdrum, Idaho, in April 2007. He loved sharing his faith, hiking on "Rathdrum Mountain," gardening, volunteering and cooking southern cuisine for his new-found sisters. He especially enjoyed the time he spent with his sister and her family. Steve made a big difference in many lives, he brought smiles and laughter and he had a great sense of humor. He will be missed but never forgotten.
He is survived by sons Stephan D. Seely Jr. and wife Ann, grandson Dakota, granddaughters Savannah and Bridget of Cary, N.C., grandson Steve Smith and granddaughter Amanda Smith of Winfield, Kan., Trae' M. Seely and wife Brooke, grandsons Gabriel and Ethan Finn of Santa Rosa, Calif.; daughters Christine Seely of Santa Rosa, Tanya Seely and grandson Trae' A. Seely of Santa Rosa; brother Scott Seely and wife Rachael of Koloa, Hawaii; sister Sue Steinke and husband Douglas of Rathdrum; sister-in-law Ginger Seely of Spirit Lake, Idaho. Steve was blessed with many other nieces and nephews. Steve was preceded in death by his beloved son, Thomas S. Seely; his brothers, Christian and Roger Seely; mother Zola Gay; stepmother Shirley Seely and father Thomas C. Seely and stepfather Edward Gay. A memorial service will be held for Steve at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Life Care Center, 460 N. Garden Plaza Ct., Post Falls. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to St. Labre Indian School, P.O. Box 216, Ashland, MT 59003. You may visit Steve's online registry at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.
Published in The Coeur d'Alene Press, (ID) - January 31, 2010, Page: 5A
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