Thomas "Tom" Stangler

Thomas J. “Tom” Stangler, age 86 of Freeport, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Cura Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 3 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose with Deacon Ernie Kociemba officiating. Entombment will be in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in St. Rosa.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Thomas Joseph Stangler was born May 2, 1940 in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Frank and Christine (Arnzen) Stangler. He was united in marriage to Lucille “Lucy” Heitzman on July 3, 1962 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Arban, Minnesota. Tom lived on the farm he was born on for 83 years. He farmed there until 1987 and transitioned to hobby farming until 2020. Tom worked at Jennie-O Food for 20 years, retiring in 2005. Tom and Lucy moved to Melrose in 2023. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa and the Sauk River Valley CB Club. Tom truly loved his family, farming, and enjoyed assisting neighbors with field work.

Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Lucy Stangler of Melrose; children, Betty (Terry) Cole of New Munich, Kathy Blenker of Freeport, Diane (Dennis) Arceneau of St. Martin, Mike Stangler of Melrose, Tom (Phyllis) Stangler of Melrose, Stephen Stangler of Melrose, and Dan (Beckey) Stangler of Melrose; daughter-in-law, Brenda Stangler of Pine City; 22 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Frank Stangler in 1965 and Harold Stangler in 2021; son-in-law, Ronald Blenker; granddaughter, Rebecca; brothers and sisters, Marie, Margie, Norbert, Ralph, Regina, Irene, and Donald.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.