Andrew "Andy" Thares

Mass of Christian Burial for Andrew 'Andy' Thares, 89, Ipswich, will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Ipswich. Father Tim Cone will serve as Celebrant. Burial with military honors by Elstad-Archer American Legion Post #67 will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Ipswich.

Andy passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.

Visitation will be from 5–7 p.m., followed by a Liturgical Wake at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 8, at Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Andrew S. Thares was born on March 29, 1933, to Sebastian and Plarea (Mastel) Thares in Ipswich. This is the area where he grew up and attended school with the exception to his freshman year where he attended school in Athol. Andy graduated with the Ipswich Class of 1951. He then entered the U.S Navy in December of 1955 at Oak Harbor, Wash., and was honorably discharged in October of 1957.

On October 9, 1956, Andy was united in marriage to Loretta Wegner. The couple settled in Ipswich and were blessed with four children. Andy and Loretta owned and operated Thares' Grocery in Ipswich beginning in 1968, and then purchased the Red Owl which was renamed Thares' Jack & Jill. After selling the grocery business in 1978, he worked for the local lumber yard for a time, then started Thares' Construction along with his son Dave in 1986.

Andy was very active in the Ipswich community. He was a lifetime member of Holy Cross and served on the first church parish board in the 1960's for numerous years. He served on the city council for two terms, was a board member of Senior Housing and the Tiny Tiger Daycare. He also served as a member of Knights of Columbus and the Ipswich Commercial Club. Andy enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, as well as hunting, camping, volunteering and visiting with friends.

Grateful for having shared Andy's life are his wife of 65 years, Loretta Thares; children, Carol (Scott) Magnuson, David (Lynn) Thares, Kristi (Earl) Jarolimek; grandchildren, Tyler (Mayensi) Wagner, Dustin (Teresa) Wagner, Kyle (Teni) Magnuson, Myranda (Nathan) Kolb, Brayden Thares, Margaret Thares, Hunter Jarolimek, Hannah Jarolimek; and great-grandchildren, Isaiha, Logan, Hailey, Lincoln and Khloe.

He was preceded in death by his parents Sebastian and Plarea Thares; daughter Sharon Thomas; grandson Andrew Thomas; and sister-in-law Alice Wegner.

Arrangements are with Leonard-Gramm Funeral Home of Ipswich. Condolences and memories may be shared with his family at http://www.leonardfh.com .