Thomas Allen Stanton

Thomas Allen Stanton, age 85 of Crosby, passed away on June 13, 2026 at our home. He was born in Owatonna on August 30, 1940 to C.M. “Bud” and Ardele (Hill) Stanton.

As a young boy, he discovered the thrill of speed on his hockey skates, making his way down Cinder Hill to Morehouse Park rinks where he made wonderful memories in the Warzinski warming house and on the ice. He enjoyed playing hockey through high school and later, coached the Weber’s Bar Seniors and broomball teams.

Tom attended Owatonna High School and served in the United States Air Force. After his honorable discharge in 1962, he worked at Owatonna Tool Company and was employed for 22 years with Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric.

In his marriage with Avis (Beese) Lewison, they welcomed children Tammy and Vincent. In 1983 he married Janie (Seely) Leath and gained a bonus daughter, Jenie Leath.

Tom was a member of the Blooming Prairie Gun Club and a lifetime member of the Owatonna Gun Club. An avid trap shooter, he loved the outdoors and spent countless hours fishing, hunting and training his dog partners.

He was a handyman extraordinaire, building two homes, remodeling two more, and putting up two garages, building furniture - all the while working full time and having fun!

In 1991, Tom and Janie uprooted life as they knew it, moving “up north” to Crosby, where they owned and operated TJ’s Riverside Family Restaurant. He became known as a master rib smoker and “that guy” who handed out candy to little ones.

Tom is survived by his wife Janie, one brother, David (Judy) Stanton, Sr., two daughters, Tammy (Stanton) Marek and Jenie (Matthew) Feist; one son, Vincent (Katie) Stanton; and four grandchildren, Nicole (Jed) Burdick, Michael Marek, Samantha Feist and Wyatt Stanton, many nieces and nephews and “adopted children”, George Peltz, Mary Dehning and Cari Jaksha.

Preceding Tom in death were his parents.

A special heartfelt thank you to his “angel” PCA, Roxie Perkins, our RN daughter, Tammy, the VA Clinic team and Vivie Hospice teams of caregivers. You are all unmatched in your professionalism and caring. In addition, “the guys” who picked up where Tom left off - Mike Seguin, John Seguin and Kraig Seely were invaluable to me. Thank you all for helping to keep him safe and comfortable at home as he wished it to be.

A casual Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Taconite Canteen in Ironton from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Light food will be provided. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.