Ginger Rae Arthurs Seely, 85

Ginger Rae Arthurs Seely, 85, passed away April 1, 2022 in Rathdrum, Idaho. She was born May 5, 1936, in Priest River, Idaho, to Roy Arthurs and Edna Coleman of Sandpoint, Idaho. Ginger primarily grew up in Coeur d'Alene, but also spent time in Elk River and St. Maries while her father logged. She attended Winton Elementary and graduated from Coeur D'Alene High School, as well as North Idaho Junior College in 1956.

Shortly after graduating, she and "The Dietz girl" (Bonnie) ran off to Helena, Mont., to get jobs at the capitol, and they did. There, she met Christian T. Seely (Cris), and within weeks, they phoned her father and asked him to meet them at the hitching post in Coeur D'Alene. Her father reminded her, "You only marry once, are you sure?" She was, so she married on May 30, 1957. They resided in Helena, as well as Great Falls. They began a family in 1958, while living in Great Falls with the birth of their first child, Catherine. The birth of their second child, Christian, came two years later in Baton Rouge, La.; followed by the birth of their third and fourth children, Laura and Eric in Missoula, Mont. In 1967, they moved to Spokane Valley, and then they returned to Coeur d'Alene, where they stayed until 1982, at which time they moved to Anchorage, Alaska. They resided there for 19 years before finally returning to Idaho to be closer to family. Her husband Christian T. Seely, the love of her life, passed away on February 22, 2005.

During her life, she was mostly employed in the insurance business, in Coeur d'Alene for Bill & R.W. Dennis Farmers Insurance and Alaska USA. Prior employment included daycare in her home, Gold Strike store and Montgomery Ward.

Her hobbies included dancing, yoga, knitting and crossword puzzles. She enjoyed being physically fit; she did several runs including Bloomsday. While living in Spirit Lake, she was active in Grandmothers club, food banks and the senior center.

She is survived by daughters Catherine Seely Fretwell (Roger, deceased) and Laura Seely Milks (Ray); grandchildren Nicki Sue Johnson (Jeff), Carrie Culver, Carly Sullivan, Brian Fretwell (Jamie), Raechel Milks, Cort Milks, Brian Seely Brown, Tieara Best and Alissa Seely-Kipp; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Scott Seely and Susan Seely Steinke; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by husband Cris Seely; sons Christian (Buster) Seely and Eric Seely; and sisters Rita White and Georgena Drapeau.

In lieu of flowers, we would ask in her honor that you dance like nobody's watching or donate to your local food bank or homeless shelter, as she had loved helping the community and it was always close to her heart.

Interment will take place in August to allow all family members to be present. Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Ginger’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at yatesfuneralhomes.com.