Arnt Thomas Stafne, Jr., our beloved Tom, was born to June Shields Stafne and Arnt Thomas Stafne, Sr. on March 28, 1963, in San Jose, CA. Tom joined his sister Twila and later Grant was born. The family was in San Jose, CA, due to the BIA relocation program. June and Rusty desired to move back to the Fort Peck Reservation. They packed up and moved back to Wolf Point in 1968.
Tom attended Headstart through the 12th grade in Wolf Point, graduating from Wolf Point High School in 1981. He then attended Billings Vo-tech learning about auto mechanics.
Tom came back to Wolf Point and worked at A&S Industries. He went to Seattle and worked as an airport marshaller. He came back and worked at various jobs including Fort Peck Housing, Fort Peck Tribes, and more recently enjoyed his job as a CHR driver taking clients to their appointments. He was always involved in farming with his dad. He loved to farm and help out wherever he was needed. He loved his country life.
Tom was in a car wreck and was in a lot of pain over the years with his hip. Even though he was in pain, you couldn’t tell because he had a smile for everyone, always ready to tease and joke around with people. He helped many people when they needed him. Even if it was -40 below and best friend cousin Fee Fee called, he was right there to help! You could always count on Tom in your time of need. Tom had only one child, Jordan whom he adored. He loved being a grandpa. He loved his family very much and was proud of them all. He was a very proud uncle to his nieces and nephews. His friends and co-workers all held a special place in his big heart. Tom loved all animals. He was especially fond of chihuahuas. If Tom was cruising, you’d see his Taco or Lori Lane right by his side.
Tom is survived by his dad, A.T. Rusty Stafne; son, Jordan Stafne (Shailee); grandchildren, Kaiden Miller, Kayto and Kehlani Stafne; sister, Twilia Bear Cub (Vincent); brother, Grant Stafne (Mary); adopted brother, Junior White Eagle (Sandra); nieces, Jade Daniels, June Azure, Arianna Neutgens, RaShane Walking Eagle; nephews, Jesse Daniels, Jace Daniels, Wilder Bear Cub, Clay Stafne, Cauy Stafne, Cade Stafne, Chief Stafne, Chryss Jackson, and Cewl Stafne; he was grandpa to 14 other grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter; aunts, Rosanne Shields, Sherry Shields, Sandy Azure; uncles, Caleb Shields, and Stoney Anketell; his cousins who will miss him are Anna Pipe, Jackie Chase, Grace Pipe, Alfred Pipe, Patty Headdress, Debbie Ricker, Dwain Balch, Sybil Duchene, Gary Medicine Cloud, Lois Medicine Cloud, Claudette Stanley, Cheryl Medicine Cloud, Gib Medicine Cloud, Sabrina Reese, Danette Baker, Tony Shields, Suzette Boyd, Felicia James, Carrie Lynn Manning, Shelly James, Michael Heathman, Ken Heathman, Azurene Real Bird, Mandy Azure, Matt Azure, Presley Bracken, Linda Keziksak, Karen Dunderstat, and Jonathan Anketell. Tom had special relationships with many cousins and many friends who he loved to visit. Our relatives are Shields, Stafnes, Medicine Clouds, Pipes, Cantrells, Birthmarks, Blacktails, Dennys, Ackermans, Bad Temper Bear Clan and Wadopana Clan.
Tom was preceded in death by his mother, June; grandmothers, Josephine Hancock, Annie Hancock, and Frances Smith; grandfathers, Fred Shields, and John Stafne; aunts, Joy Shields, Shirley Redstone, Joanne Pipe, Marie Esparza, and Joy Martin; uncles, Buddy Pipe, Gary Medicine Cloud, Fish Redstone, Fred Shields, Jr., and Ken Azure; cousins, Samona Clements, Antoinette Shields, Ken Azure, Jr., Pat Clements, John Pipe, Thelma Medicine Cloud and a favorite cousin, Larry Connor; nephew, Delmar Martell and granddaughter, Brynn Baker.
We take comfort in knowing he is with our beloved mother and family now and no longer in any pain from his hip and cancer affliction. We are related to many people and ask forgiveness if we forgot to mention anyone, as it is not intentional.
A prayer service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 22 at the Wolf Point Community Hall. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, July 23 at the Wolf Point Community Hall. Interment will follow at the Stafne Ranch in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.
Noreen Hohman says
Rest Easy my friend you were always quick with a smile and a joke you will truly be missed. My condolences to the entire Stafne family
Joel Ferguson says
Tommy… you will forever be missed and loved.. hug My Mom for Us and tell Auntie June we love her… Little Grant Thomas will check on Uncle and watch over him. Please watch over Little Grant Thomas. hes hurting too.
Iva Grainger says
My condolences to the family! Thoughts and prayers be with you in your time of grief
Darlyn Grainger says
RIP Tom you were a good guy. Always had a smile. Gonna miss you. Hugs and prayers to all of the Stafne family.
Chris Bauer says
My deepest condolences to the Stafne family!! ❤️🙏🏼
Jonny BearCub says
Sure going to miss you cuz. You always stopped by to check on me, did my outside repairs, joked and gossip about the latest goofy scandal, and made me laugh so hard my guts hurt. What can I say? Life is so unpredictable. Many of us will miss you so much but knowing you are with family in Heaven, in pure joy, in perfect health, makes it a little easier to say goodbye. Until we meet again….know you and the family are surrounded by love.
Debra M says
Cya my friend always had a smile when you seen me and such a good guy.
DAWN ALLEN says
My condolences go out to the Stafnes, Tom will be missed. Love and prayers
Shai-Lee says
Tom. You we’re always like a father to me without question. Enjoyed your random drop ins, humor and compassion with the grandkids. You seemed to know when we needed a ear or visit. I appreciate all you’ve done over the years. You will be missed. Thank you for the memories that me and Jordan share dearly.
Gay Pennington says
Sorry for your loss of Tom. He’s not suffering from pain no more. Keep his memories in your heart ❤. Rest in peace. May God be with you all 🙏🙏🙏🙏
David & Chong Ae Boyd says
Rusty and family sorry for you loss of Tom. Prayers for all of you.
Anna E says
Fly high Tom, I’m really going to miss you ♥️
My condolences & prayers to Tom’s family.
Jessica Birdsbill says
Tom, I’m so thankful I got to see you and chat with you for a few min. In that short time we shared some laughs. Once again we are taught to never take anyone for granted. Forgive quickly and love hard🌹
Your gonna be missed💔
Much love,🌹 Til we meet again…
Shari Knudson says
So many prayers for the Stafne family….I know he is in heaven with all the relatives.
Patt Iron Cloud Runs Through says
Mr. Tom Stafne. You lived a great life, my friend. It was my utmost pleasure to meet you and enjoy your humor, laughter and your goodness. I pray for your beautiful journey to the land of our ancestors. May our Creator bless your dear Son, Jordan and Daughter, Shai-lee and your loving grandchildren. May our dear Lord bless your Daddy and Sister and Brother and extended family. Everybody who has ever met you, loves you. You were a good man dear Tom on Mother Earth and you will be a wonderful and great man in Heaven as well. You are safely home now my friend Tom, with your beautiful Mommy June. Lori Darling will sorely miss you. I will miss you too, my friend, Love, From Grandma Patt 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Greg Bushman says
Condolences to the families. RIP Tom.
Roger and Carla Hunsley says
Thoughts and prayers to the Stafne family.
Barbara Perry says
R.I.P Tom. He and my husband worked with each other for a time. They teased each other constantly. They used to call each other She-She(whatever that meant). Sincere sympathy to the family 🙏
Kristie Santos says
Tom, I will for sure miss seeing you around the clinic! You were a real genuine guy that was a pleasure to be around. You always brought a smile to my face when I saw you with your witty humor! Thoughts and prayers for the Stafne family. So sorry for your loss.
Cissy & Uncle Chuck Eagleman says
You can rest easy now Tom, no more pain, no more sickness.
Prayers for all the family & his friends. You will be dearly missed Tom.
I pray you Journeyed well Cousin.
Shari Daniels says
My sincere condolences to the families
Lucy Redekopp says
My sincere condolences to the the family. Tom was a beautiful soul who will be missed.
Kathryn Hamilton Hamilton 1 Joe Mcgeshick WRIT 101 July 15rch paper, I will di says
our deepest sympathies . we love you all. Antie kathy. Myltin, sierra and phillip
Nancy Sietsema says
Stafne Family ♥️
I’m so very sorry for the loss of Tom. I considered him a very good friend and I always enjoyed visiting with him and seeing his wonderful smile. He will truly be missed. But we know he is free of pain now and with his beautiful mother June. He will be watching over your family. Cherish your wonderful memories and tell everyone you love them because tomorrow is not promised to anyone. RIP Tom and sincere prayers to his family🙏
Karen Landsrud Samuels says
Fly high my first love… I’ll never forget our time together and being a part of the Stafne family for the 2 short times we were together. I grew up knowing you my whole life cuz you were one of my brothers best friends so being with you later was easy because we were already friends and I knew you to be a kind, genuine, and fun loving man. You made me laugh all the time… you were a genuine goofy gentle soul and I missed you since the day I left WolfPoint after we moved back from Seattle.. I’ll never ever forget our life together and how much fun we had…, I never stopped loving you and I never will. I know you are now with your beautiful momma and that gives me peace knowing you have true love again ❤️ The memories with you will never fade…. I love you Arnt Thomas Stafne Jr……. ❤️ Rest is Sweet Paradise……❤️
Your once/twice main snag (Swearin Karen) Landsrud Samuels
Dale Buckles says
My condolences to the entire family. RIP Tom.
Gerald Jackson says
Tom you will be missed (Carl) RIP say hi to all of our friends up there I am so glad I got to share my times with you at housing have a good trip on your way up to heaven and tell my family I miss them.
Robin HayesHernandez says
Our prayers for the family
Karla Traeholt says
My sincere condolences to the families. RIP Tom.
Jordan says
miss you dad…
Tim Glyshaw says
Tom ! I will always remember you as a friend WPHS you were always kind and made me laugh, I remember our chats on FB as we got reconnected after so many years sharing stories and pictures a d laughs of our younger years and as of recent.
Love you Brother Tom , until we meet again ❤️
Rhonda Mason says
Sorry about your dad Jordan . Prayers for rest of the family too.
Fly high Tom.
Kathy (Mickolio) Manders says
Twila and family
So sorry to hear of your loss – you are in my prayers!
Benny Burshia says
My condolences to the Stafne family!
Mike Watson says
Rusty and family,
Saddened by your loss. Know you are missing Tom. Our best thoughts and prayers are with you.