Thomas Stastny

Tom Stastny, 80, of Bismarck, died peacefully at is home on March 30, 2024.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, with Fr. Keith Streifel celebrating. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan with a Parish Rosary/ Vigil at 7 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Tom was born October 30, 1943, in Mandan, the son of Thomas Sr. and Mary (Schmidt) Stastny. He was raised on the family farm south of Mandan and educated in a small country school.  Tom’s first job was working on a dairy farm south of Mandan.  On July 1, 1964, Tom was united in marriage with Marlene Heinrich in St Anthony.  They moved to Hazen where he worked at Hazen Creamery, then 3 months later moved back to Mandan where they made their home and raised their two children, Kevin and Kim.   Tom worked at Mandan Creamery and then transferred to Cloverdale Foods where he worked for 20 years.  He started out driving truck and finished his career as Warehouse Manager.  He was also a volunteer firefighter for the Mandan Fire Department from 1975 to 1986.  Tom then worked for Mandan Public Schools for 18 years as a custodian and bus driver and finally he was a custodian and cook at Spirit of Life Catholic Church until his retirement in 2018. 

Tom and Marlene spent many weekends camping with friends and family as well as trips to the casino.  He had a green thumb and spent hours tending to his garden and then enjoyed canning produce from his garden and sharing with his friends.  A few years ago, Tom taught Kim how to make his canned pickles.  He was an excellent cook and took pride in preparing meals for everyone. He loved making sausage with his kids and grandkids for years. He also loved the Minnesota Vikings and enjoyed going to games.  Tom enjoyed fishing and hunting and looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Canada with Kevin and Alex.  He loved being a grandpa and enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, including recently be able to attend a few of their sporting events.   He has enjoyed having suppers with his kids and grandkids throughout the past few years while living at Marillac Manor.   He also enjoyed the fellowship of the other residents at Marillac.  

Tom was a beloved Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa who will be missed deeply. The family takes comfort in knowing that he is now reunited with Marlene.

Tom is survived by his son, Kevin Stastny of Mandan and daughter and son-in-law, Kim (Jason) Friedt of Bismarck; 5 grandchildren, Brandi (Tiffany) Hardy of Denver, Alex (Lexi) Stastny, Jake, Kaylee, and Lily Friedt, all of Bismarck; 3 great-grandchildren, Kota, Evalyn, and Jasper; brother, Robert (Candice) Stastny; 5 sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law, Lucille Bullinger, Alice Bullinger, Leona Haugsdal, Arlene (Jim) Fried, all of Mandan and Leo (Vicki) Heinrich of Bismarck; as well as numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, Elmer and Sue Mattson.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene in 2021; parents, Thomas Sr. and Mary Stastny; mother and father-in-law, Nick and Katherine Heinrich; one sister, Linda Stastny; three brothers- in-law, Richard Haugsdal, Ralph Bullinger, and Ben Bullinger; sister-in-law, Karen Stastny; and special friends, Bill and Kay Braxmeyer.