Daniel A. Selzler

Daniel A. Selzler, 86, longtime Upper County resident, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at the KVH Hospital in Ellensburg. A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10 at Laurel Hill Memorial Park in Cle Elum. Viewing for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9 at Johnston & Williams in Ellensburg.

Daniel was born on August 18, 1937 in Martin, North Dakota to August & Emilia Selzler. He grew up around the Martin area, working on the family farm. Because his grandparents had immigrated to the United States, Daniel grew up learning German as his primary language and began learning English once he started attending school. After completing his education, he joined the North Dakota National Guard while continuing to work on the family farm.

Daniel married Margie Heilman, a friend and classmate he’d known since elementary school. They moved to Renton shortly after their marriage in 1960 and were blessed with five children. During this time, Daniel attended the Renton Vocational-Technical Institute and accepted a position at Boeing before starting part-time with King County Water District #90. Eventually, he figured out he was working full-time at both District #90 and Boeing and he gave up the job at Boeing. He had a very long and successful career with District #90, retiring as District Superintendent on the day he turned 60.

Some time after his marriage to Margie had ended, Daniel met Darlene at a social function at the Riverside Dance Hall. He asked her to dance and they had a whirlwind romance, marrying in 1980. This marriage blended their two families together with Daniel’s five children and Darlene’s two, creating their own version of The Brady Bunch. 

In 1990, Daniel and Darlene purchased a piece of property on Lake Lavender near Easton and they would spend the weekends camping there. Many family memories were made during those years and, following his retirement, Daniel and Darlene built a garage first, then a house, making Kittitas County their permanent home in 1998. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and snowmobiling – basically anything having to do with the outdoors and was known to both work hard and play hard. He was a modern day MacGyver and could pretty much fix anything.

Daniel loved being part of the local community and many will remember him leading the Easton Memorial Day Parade in his 1949 Farmall Cub tractor for many years and was also honored one year as the Grand Marshal. What many people may not have realized is that, in addition to the American flag he would fly from the tractor, he also flew flags for the Marines, Air Force and Navy, depending on which branch of service one of his grandchildren was serving in at the time.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Darlene Selzler; children Charlotte “Charli” Chavanu, Carla Selzler, Daniel L. Selzler, Kenny (Carrieanne) Selzler, Oscer (Kim) Selzler, Debbie (Dean) McIndoo and LuAnn (Michael) Buff; 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; sisters Caroline, Virginia and Reannie and brothers August, Jr. and Arnie. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Albert, Steven, Edith, Leonard, Helen, Ray and Woody.

Memorial contributions in Daniel’s honor are suggested to the Cle Elum Eagles for the benefit of their various charitable causes.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams. Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com