Seeley Lake Cemetery celebrates 25 years

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Cemetery District is celebrating 25 years of preserving the honor of the area's deceased residents this year.

The conception of a cemetery in Seeley Lake came during the late 1980s and early 1990s when a group of residents met at the home of Allen and Mildred Chaffin and began working on gathering enough signatures so that development could be placed on a ballot. 

According to Chaffin in the article "Plum Creek land donation helps long-sought cemetery goal" run in the Oct. 5, 1995 Seeley Swan Pathfinder, the volunteer group sought advice from the Missoula County Attorney's Office and the Commissioners. They agreed to set the Cemetery District boundaries to coincide with the Seeley Lake Elementary District #34 boundaries.

In 1994 it was given a place on the June Primary Ballot after obtaining 600 signatures. It passed with an 81% majority. The District was allowed a four-mill levy which brought in about $18,000 annually. The District's next big task was finding suitable land. 

In 1995, Plum Creek Timber Company donated 3.9 acres one mile south of Salmon Lake on the east side of Highway 83. This allowed for 600, five by eight foot burial lots that could accommodate one regular burial and one or two cremations. 

"Some people thought the idea preposterous when it was first proposed eight or 10 years ago but our population was growing and we had about everything else that was needed to take care of the community needs," wrote Chaffin in the Oct. 5, 1995 article. 

Developments began in 1996. A gazebo was funded partially by a $3,000 donation from the Seeley Lake Women's Club. It was finished in October 1996 by Jim Jaimes Construction and several volunteers.

According to District Chairman Rob Kvamme in the article "Cemetery Progress - Gazebo done" published in the Oct. 24, 1996 issue, the gazebo was the center of a "niche garden." Small cremation lots would form rays extending out from the circular sidewalk that surrounds the gazebo. A large flower bed is planned between the sidewalk and gazebo. Not only will the structure be available for graveside services and last rites, it will also serve as a "visitor center" for those who visit the cemetery.

In addition to the gazebo, a well was dug, trees and stumps were removed from the grave area, and individual lots were plotted. Marvin Rapp, current District manager and sexton, said a lot of land filling had to initially take place in order to reduce swells and level the overall area. According to him, they had to use several "basketball-sized rocks" in order to fill in the crevices and flatten the land out.

Walter Titus, who lived in Missoula and was instrumental in establishing the Double Arrow Golf Resort, died Dec. 6, 1996. He was the first person buried in the cemetery.

The District hired Derek Ellinghouse as their first Sexton/Manager Jan. 1, 1997. His primary job that first winter was handling the sale of plots and supervising any burials that took place.

In 1999, the Cemetery Board negotiated a permanent easement with the Montana State Lands for 4.42 additional acres. This adjoined the original property and was purchased for around $18,000.

"We had to pay a pretty penny for it," the Pathfinder quoted Kvamme telling the Seeley Lake Community Council at their Feb. 8, 1999 meeting. Kvamme explained that the annual grazing fee for the land had never been over $10.02 annually. However, developments on the south end of Salmon Lake increased land values. The state was obligated to consider the highest value of land. 

This squared off the property and expanded the cemetery to just over eight acres. That same year the cemetery held its first Memorial Day observance.

Rapp became the new sexton in September 2004 where he replaced Ellinghouse. The Pathfinder reported in the Jan. 25, 2005 issue that the Cemetery District mourned the loss of both Allen Chaffin and Ellinghouse in 2004.

According to Rapp, the cemetery has two sections. The older one is about half full and currently holds 130-140 graves. The new section has three of its roughly 120 plots filled. The cemetery now has two buildings, one for a communal space and one for storage.

Treasurer Mary Ann Morin said she got involved with the cemetery in order to preserve the legacy of Seeley Lake's residents.

"[When] the community doesn't have a cemetery, it loses its concept of history," she said. "You can go out now to the cemetery ... and read the names of people that provided infrastructure, not only for the cemetery, but for the majority of the community of Seeley Lake. And so what you're doing is you're keeping the community history alive."

Board member Mary Ellen Stubb worked for the Missoula City Cemetery for 17 years before moving to Seeley Lake and helping with its cemetery. She said she chooses to get involved because it helps bring a community together.

"When you bring those families back in, the families then become reinvested in that cemetery," she said. "It just ties the community and those families together even more."

Rapp said when it comes to organizing a burial spot, the funeral home hosting the service will reach out to him. Those interested in purchasing a plot ahead of time can contact him directly at 406-677-3409.

Board Chair Barb Knopp said they are looking to fill an additional member position on the board. Those interested can reach out to her at bgauto@blackfoot.net or apply online with the Commissioners at https://boards.missoulacounty.us/board/2552.

The Cemetery District's meetings are open to the public and are held at 12 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at Faith Chapel, 3260 Highway 83. Their next meeting will take place Sept. 9. More information can be found by emailing seeleylakecemetery@gmail.com.