Wayne Lynn Selmer, 75

Wayne Lynn Selmer, 75, of Kalispell passed away on Jan. 4, 2025, at Logan Health in Whitefish. He was born on Oct. 16, 1949, in Juneau, Territory of Alaska, to the late Oscar and Alice Selmer of Skagway. He joined an older brother (by 14 months) and eventually the boys welcomed a baby sister. The family lived on the corner of Seventh and Broadway in Skagway, Alaska, in the home where their father grew up.

After graduating from Skagway High School, Wayne was drafted and joined the United States Navy. He served as a corrosion control expert, and he was stationed in such exotic places as the Philippines, Okinawa, and Hawaii. After leaving the Navy, he lived and worked in Alaska until his retirement, finally ending up in Kalispell to live near to his sister. 

Waye was a collector of books, stamps, post cards, Skagway memorabilia, and anything that caught his attention while shopping the thrift stores and garage sales. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing in the Skagway Bay for salmon in his dad’s various boats, scrounging wood to cut up and stack for his woodstove, picnics, walking, talking about the weather and spending time with family.

He is survived by his cat, Coco, his brother, Oscar (Stan) Selmer (Maxine), sister, Sherrie Colyer (Mike), six nephews and nieces, nine great-nephews and four great-nieces, and two great-great nephews and a great-great niece. 

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 5, at the First Baptist Church in Whitefish, 6-US 93 S. Whitefish, MT 59937. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, PO Box 8357, Kalispell, MT 59904. Or to Paws and Claws Animal Rescue Shelter, PO 197, Skagway, AK 99840. Condolences may be sent by visiting columbiamortuary.com.