Dalven Seely of Grande Prairie, AB, since 2015, former resident of Brownvale, AB, for 17 years, and Tangent, AB, for 29 years, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 12, 2024, at home at the age of 89 years.

Dalven was born November 13, 1934, to Ethel (Nate) and Eugene Seely, the third of eight children, and the first one born in the log house on the homestead in Alder Flats, AB.

By the time Dalven went to school, Eugene and Ethel had built a house closer to town so they did not have to walk up hill both ways to school. After quitting school, he went to work for farmers, then in the oil fields of Alberta and British Columbia, and eventually in the Arctic, Sable Island, and Queen Charlotte Islands.

While in Fort St. John, BC, Dalven met a little French waitress by the name of Jeannette Chaput, who was also working away from home. They were married a year later on November 7, 1953, in her hometown of Tangent, Alberta. He kept working in the oil fields, and moving to wherever the work was, while raising their four children Don, Doris, Norman and Rose.

In 1969 they moved their family to the farm in Tangent where they became grain farmers, and raised cattle, hogs, horses and chickens, while also being an oilfield supervisor. Dalven loved his family, his extended family, his friends, and his horses. He was proud of them all, and recounted their accomplishments with emotion. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing, curling, dancing, rodeos, camping, family reunions, playing cards with young and old, trail riding, roping, visiting, travelling, spending winters in Arizona, and hunting camp every year with five generations until 88 years old. Spending time with his family was the most important.

Dalven will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 70 years Jeannette; his children: Donald (Brenda) Seely, Doris (Thomas) Elward, Rose (Robert) Maisonneuve, (Debbie) Seely; grandchildren: Chad (Nicole) Seely, Crystal (Gary) Valiquette, Julie Dettling (Toby Clark), Aleshia (Greg) Beaunoyer, (Chantelle) Seely, Todd (Heather) Seely, April (Henry) Wanotch, Ariane (Alden) Lowrey, Mathieu (Celty) Maisonneuve, Janel (Murray) Kidd, and Neil (Josee) Maisoneuve. He is also survived by 31 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren. His surviving siblings will miss him dearly: Beverly (Al) Clemmer and Dallas (Gloria) Seely; sisters-in-law Lorraine Seely, Kathleen Seely, Louella Seely, Yvonne Chaput, Marge Chaput, and Bernadette Wlad; brothers-in-law Lucien (Judy) Chaput, and Leland Berge; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Dalven is predeceased by his parents Eugene and Ethel Seely; father and mother-in-law, Lucien and Elizabeth Chaput; son Norman Seely; grandson Rylan Seely; great-grandson Clay Seely; brothers: JL, Doyle, Melvoy, and Larry; sister Ethel Janke; brothers-in-law: Carl Janke, Robert Chaput, Phil Chaput, and John Wlad; and sisters-in-law Lucy Maciborski, Germaine Berge, and Ivy Seely.

A Viewing will be Friday, January 19, 2024, at 1:00pm at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie, AB (10005 107 Ave.). A Memorial Service will be at 1:30pm, with a time of fellowship to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation (11205-110 Street Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4B1).