Donald Charles Stading, 90, of Cape Coral, Florida passed away on February 14, 2026, in Fort Myers, Florida. A funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca. Visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M. at the church. Burial will be at Ponca City Cemetery.

Donald was born at the Ponca Hospital to Clarence and Gertrude Stading. He grew up on a farm northwest of Ponca with his brother Lowell. He attended West Union #2, a one room schoolhouse from first to eighth grade. He attended Ponca High School in Ponca, graduating in 1952.

After high school, he stayed on the farm for a year and then began working for the Sioux City Journal Tribune until entering the U.S. Army in January of 1955. Donald had basic training at Fort Ord, California. He was transferred to the United States Fourth Infantry Division in Germany, and was assigned to a special group, I & R (Intelligence and Reconnaissance Group). He Returned to the States in December of 1956.

He married Patricia Hurley June of 1957, and a son Scott was born in August of 1967 while living in Whittier, California.

Following service in the army, Donald moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and entered the University of Nebraska in 1957, graduating in August of 1961. He started his career as an Industrial Engineer with Deere & Company in Ottumwa, Iowa. He was promoted and transferred to the John Deere Killefer Plant in Vernon, California. While living in Whittier he attended The University of California, Long Beach and earned his Master of Business Degree.

He resigned from Deere in January of 1971 and took a position with a company in the Chicago area. He then worked for Magnetrol International for six years, as Vice President of Operations.

In 1978 he took a position with Folger Adam Company and was President. He left and was President of the Norix Group Inc. for six years and then returned to Folger Adam as President and retired in the fall of 2004 from Folger Adam with 20 years of service.

With Magnetrol, Norix, and Folger Adam he made many business trips to cities in United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Belgium, England, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and Sweden. He also went to Asia; Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Bangkok, Thailand. He enjoyed all the countries and the people that he met during his many trips.

Don was living in Darien, Illinois, when he retired and later moved to Cape Coral, Florida, in 2010, and became a resident in 2013. Don and Sandra spent many years together traveling and enjoying activities.

Don enjoyed many outdoor activities; he hunted pheasant on the farm in Nebraska, and he was an avid golfer combining that with business and pleasure. He went skiing in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Blackcomb-Whistler in Vancouver, Canada. His son Scott joined him in Colorado and Utah on many ski trips.

Boating was a favorite pastime for Don. He went water skiing with Scott and later docked a larger boat in Montrose Harbor, Lake Michigan, Chicago. Motorcycling was a special hobby; he rode his Harley to Milwaukee for the 85th, 90th, 95th, 100th, and 105th anniversaries.

While studying at the University of Nebraska, Don attended many football games. He was present at the 300th consecutive sold out game in 2009 and in recent years he continued to attend the games with Sandra and Dennis Hurley, brother-in-law.

Don’s memberships included, Assoc. AIA, Architect, the Elks – B.P.O.E., and Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity at the University of Nebraska. Over the years, he belonged to many professional organizations.

Donald is survived by his loving partner, Sandra Marie Sansone Brennan, sister-in-law, Marliss Stading of Ponca, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Dennis Hurley (Cathy) of Ponca, Nebraska; niece, Sheri Landeen (Vern) of Canton, South Dakota; grand nieces, Stephanie Harris (Sterling) and Natasha Scherber (Matthew); and a good friend, Cheryl Conroy of Fort Myers, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Gertrude; son, Scott; former wife, Patricia and brother, Lowell.

Scott passed July 29, 2005.

Patricia passed September 15, 2010.

Lowell passed June 8, 2022.