James "Jim" J. Andres

James J. Andres, age 84, of Pierz, MN, passed away Saturday, January 31, 2015, at the Pierz Villa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Pierz, MN.

A private interment will take place in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3rd and 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4th all at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz.

There will be a Christian Mothers Rosary at 4:00 p.m. followed by Knights of Columbus Office of the Dead at 8:00 p.m.

James Jim Joseph Andres was born on December 9, 1930, in Randall, Minnesota the son of Frank & Christine (Bentler) Andres.He attended country school through the eighth grade.Jim enlisted in the United States Navy on February 14, 1950 and served on the USS Philip during the Korean Conflict.He was honorably discharged on November 17, 1953.Honors and decorations received include the National Defense Service Medal, United National Service Medal, Korean Service Ribbon (three stars) and the China Service Medal.On May 4, 1954, he was united in marriage to Helen Schmidt at St. James Catholic Church in Randall.Jim worked for Ford Motor Company in Minneapolis following his military service.He returned to the Randall area to farm and in 1958 purchased a dairy farm in the Buckman area where they raised their eight children.In 1979 Jims sons, Bill and Jim joined him in farming and in 1991 he sold the farm to his son, Jim.Jim took great pride in his Dairy operation and served on the DHIA Board for many years.He also served on the Pierz school board from 1971 to 1983.Jim and Helen moved to Pierz where they made their home for 27 years. In retirement, Jim continued to be active helping on the farm, driving for Social Services and Meals on Wheels, playing cards, trips to the casino and especially spending time with his family.Due to his health, he became a resident of the Pierz Villa in April, 2013.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Helen of Pierz; children, Terri Loscheider (Mike) of Waconia, Debbie Wensel Austin (Jim) of Rice, Bill Andres (Sherry) of Buckman, Patty Nelson (Mike) of Little Falls, Jim Andres (Carol) of Pierz, Denise Gangl (Paul ) of Lakeville, David Andres (Becky) of Becker, and Sandy Gross (Scott) of North Mankato; siblings, Don Andres (Donna) of Baxter, Walter Andres (Pat) of Little Falls, Robert Andres (Sherry) of Little Falls, Charles Andres (Mary) of Randall, Frank Andres (Judy) of Randall and Christine Lucy (Gene) of Minneapolis; 30 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter; siblings, Cecilia Kempenich, Richard Andres and Pat Gaffke and son-in-law, Gordy Austin.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Holy Trinity Catholic School in Pierz.