Wayne Lynn Selmer

Wayne Lynn Selmer, 75

Wayne Lynn Selmer, 75, of Kalispell, Montana, passed away on January 4, 2025, at Logan Health in Whitefish. He was born on October 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 7th 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, Montana, 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.

Wayne is survived by his cat, Coco, his brother, Oscar (Stan) Selmer (Maxine), sister, Sherrie Colyer (Mike), 6 nephews and nieces, 9 great-nephews and 4 great-nieces, and 2 great-great nephews and a great-great niece.

A celebration of Wayne's life will be held at 2 p.m. on February 5, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Whitefish, 6-US 93 S. Whitefish 59937. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, PO Box 8357, Kalispell 59904. Or to Paws and Claws Animal Rescue Shelter, PO 197, Skagway, AK 99840. Condolences may be sent by visiting columbiamortuary.com.