Thomas “Tom” Donnelly Stadsklev
Thomas “Tom” Donnelly Stadsklev, born March 28, 1939 in Kasson, MN to Otto and Donna Stadsklev. He died June 8, 2025 at the age of 86.
Tom was a graduate of Marianna High School, Chipola College, the University of Florida with a BA in Agriculture and the Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He proudly served as a commissioned officer in the US Navy for 6 ½ years.
Thomas “Tom” Donnelly Stadsklev
As an agriculturalist upon returning to Marianna, he owned and operated Bright Prospect Seed Company, selling seed throughout the southeast. He was an active and dedicated member in Florida's agriculture industry and served nationally in organizations such as AOSCA, The Southern Seedsman Association, and the US Soybean Board. For 18 years, Tom served as the Executive Director of the Florida Foundation Seed Producers Association, a direct support organization of the University of Florida from which he retired in 2010.
Community minded, he was a Ruling Elder in the First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Marianna Rotary Club for 56 years, served on the Jackson Hospital Board for 9 years (2 years as chairman), and served on the Board of the Jackson Soil & Water Conservation District.
Tom loved every day. Enjoying the simple pleasures of life like the birds in his feeders, the beauty of outdoors, working on his farm and building on his cabin. He lived every day as a child of the Lord Jesus, enjoying fellowship with other believers and always grateful to be “a child of the King.”
Tom is survived by his wife, Joan Bylsma Stadsklev, of almost 60 years. Not being blessed with natural children, God blessed he and Joan with a “special” family including “daughter”, Angie White and “grandsons”, Clint Touchton (Jenna and baby Carter), Clayton Touchton, Johnny Touchton (Ashlyn and children, Blakely and Aubrey), and Levi Love. Psalm 68:6 “God places the lonely in families”. He is also survived by his sister, Charlotte Stadsklev Brasington; sister-in-law, Joyce Bylsma; nephews, Mark Bylsma, Michael Bylsma, Scott Brasington (Kim and children, Malia and Trace), Kirk Brasington (Patti and children, Lola, Sev, Hugh), Eric Brasington (Shanti and Finn) , Mark Bylsma and Michael Bylsma; special friends, Dewey and Sue White; and his special canine companions, Boudreaux and Hoola.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marilyn Stadsklev King, and brothers-in-Law, Frank Bylsma Jr., Frank Brasington and Richard King.
A celebration of life service will be 2 P.M. Sunday, June 15, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church in Marianna with Reverend Blair Beaver and Ted Land officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Interment will be private and at a later date in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. Marianna Chapel Funeral Home will be directing.
The family will receive friends for a time of visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Marianna First Presbyterian Church (2898 Jefferson St. Marianna, FL, 32446) or to the Joan Stadsklev Scholarship Fund Chipola Foundation https://www.chipola.edu/foundation/online-donations/
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Julie Harris, ARNP, Dr. Joe Gay and Dr. Chris Christopher for the care and support shown during this time.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Lambe Family at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home.
Condolences may be made online at www.mariannachapelfh.com