Genevieve \"Jan\" Ione Seley
Born: May 9th, 1923
Died: July 20th, 2018
Obituary
Longtime Ketchikan resident Jan Seley, age 95, passed away on July 20, 2018.
She was born in Ottertail, Minnesota on May 9, 1923 as Genevieve Ione LaGra.
Early in her life, she found that her spiritual love for God and his son Jesus Christ would guide her forever. She shared that same unconditional love for her entire family and
will always be remembered as a loving Mother, Grandmother and best friend to her family.
Jan spoke fondly of her early years growing up on a farm in Minnesota. After her family moved to Lewis County, WA, Jan met and married Steve Seley Sr. In 1956, Steve convinced Jan to move their family to Hollis, Alaska where he had an opportunity to work construction. Jan left behind her folks and seven brothers and sisters to a land of unknown. She writes of a dislike for their new life in Alaska, but after her first trip back to see family in Washington, she discovered she missed Alaska! Jan and Steve's last child was born in 1959; the year of Alaska Statehood.
Jan was so proud to teach Calvert Course to her sons when there was no formal school, helping build the first church in Thome Bay and being a den mother and Girl Scout leader.
She enjoyed all forms of transportation to and from camp - floatplanes, mail boats, tugs, and the traveling bible school boat. She quickly became a friend to most that were associated with delivering goods in one way or another. Often when the weather wouldn't permit travel, people would find their way to the cookhouse to enjoy Jan's cooking, baking and special conversation. Many a time, passengers would have to wait at the plane as the pilot was still in the cookhouse visiting with Jan and enjoying a piece of her pie, cookies or a bowl of soup.
She was very respected by the many workers and their families living in camp, always ready to offer a helping hand or support to those in need.
Jan could catch a coho or trout, skin a deer and run a· trap line with the best of them! She loved canning each fall and putting up winter stores for her family. The beautiful flowers she grew each year were a sight to behold.
Jan is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Lin; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Tina; daughter and son-in-law Trish and Bill; brothers and sisters Darrell, Betty, Jerry and Tom; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.
Jan was preceded in death by her husband Steve, daughter Carolynn, her folks, sisters Connie, Twila and Bonnie, grandsons Hap and Rex, and great grandson Daniel.
Jan's request was for a private family service.
Genevieve \"Jan\" Ione Seley
Born: May 9th, 1923
Died: July 20th, 2018
Obituary
Longtime Ketchikan resident Jan Seley, age 95, passed away on July 20, 2018.
She was born in Ottertail, Minnesota on May 9, 1923 as Genevieve Ione LaGra.
Early in her life, she found that her spiritual love for God and his son Jesus Christ would guide her forever. She shared that same unconditional love for her entire family and
will always be remembered as a loving Mother, Grandmother and best friend to her family.
Jan spoke fondly of her early years growing up on a farm in Minnesota. After her family moved to Lewis County, WA, Jan met and married Steve Seley Sr. In 1956, Steve convinced Jan to move their family to Hollis, Alaska where he had an opportunity to work construction. Jan left behind her folks and seven brothers and sisters to a land of unknown. She writes of a dislike for their new life in Alaska, but after her first trip back to see family in Washington, she discovered she missed Alaska! Jan and Steve's last child was born in 1959; the year of Alaska Statehood.
Jan was so proud to teach Calvert Course to her sons when there was no formal school, helping build the first church in Thome Bay and being a den mother and Girl Scout leader.
She enjoyed all forms of transportation to and from camp - floatplanes, mail boats, tugs, and the traveling bible school boat. She quickly became a friend to most that were associated with delivering goods in one way or another. Often when the weather wouldn't permit travel, people would find their way to the cookhouse to enjoy Jan's cooking, baking and special conversation. Many a time, passengers would have to wait at the plane as the pilot was still in the cookhouse visiting with Jan and enjoying a piece of her pie, cookies or a bowl of soup.
She was very respected by the many workers and their families living in camp, always ready to offer a helping hand or support to those in need.
Jan could catch a coho or trout, skin a deer and run a· trap line with the best of them! She loved canning each fall and putting up winter stores for her family. The beautiful flowers she grew each year were a sight to behold.
Jan is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Lin; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Tina; daughter and son-in-law Trish and Bill; brothers and sisters Darrell, Betty, Jerry and Tom; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.
Jan was preceded in death by her husband Steve, daughter Carolynn, her folks, sisters Connie, Twila and Bonnie, grandsons Hap and Rex, and great grandson Daniel.
Jan's request was for a private family service.