John A. Stadelman

John Anthony Stadelman, devoted husband, and grandfather, left his earthly home on January 30th, 2018 from Alzheimer's and a short illness with Influenza A. He had been a resident at both the Benedict House and Madonna Towers Skilled Care for the last two years. John was born September 11th, 1924, in Derventa, Bosnia to Johan and Vlasta Stadelman. His father served in WWI in the Austrian Army on the Russian Front. John had 2 brothers and 3 sisters. After living in Derventa for 14 years, the family moved to a camp in Eastern Germany and then to a second camp in Salzburg, Austria. John shared many memories of bombs dropping while his family fled for safety. After WWII, John and his brother and parents immigrated to the United States in 1952, going through Ellis Island in New York City. They settled in Cleveland, Ohio where John was employed at Republic Steel in the research department. John married his first wife, Mary Blazing, from Rochester and together they owned and operated a Dairy Queen in Cleveland. They decided to move back to Rochester in 1983. Mary died October 20, 1990. On May 25, 1993, John married Elaine Frank and became an important part of Elaine's family, embracing them as if they were his own. John loved traveling, dancing, yardwork and golf! He and Elaine traveled all over Europe and enjoyed trips to Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and Mexico. John had a legendary smile, a fabulous sense of humor and was an immediate friend to everyone he met. John is survived by his beloved wife Elaine Stadelman, and her children; son Donovan (Kathy) Frank, and daughters Donnis (Dave) Lassig, and Deb (Stuart) Smith; seven granddaughters Sara Lassig (Drew McLean), Kelli Lassig (Heather Stafford), Rachel Frank, Lindsay Frank, Hilary Frank (Sterling Rector), Alexandra (Tom) Korte, and Samantha Frank (fiancé Justin Eklund); great grandson Dawson McLean; brother Bernie Stadelman; and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his first wife, his parents, his sisters Greta, Erica, and Vlasta and brother Otto. The family offers special thanks to the staff at Benedict House, Madonna Skilled Nursing Center, and Mayo Hospice for their tender care and attention. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Mayo Alzheimer's research. Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to an 11:00 AM service on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Chapel in Rochester, MN.