(Photo)

(Veteran)

Gregory Ralph Andres, 68

Gregory Ralph Andres, 68, of Sammamish, Wash., formerly of Blair, died Jan. 9, 2015.

A graveside presentation of military honors will be 11:30 a.m., April 9, at Black Hills National Cemetery, 20901 Pleasant Valley Drive, Sturgis, S.D. A celebration of life will also be April 9 in the Black Hills near Hill City.

Gregg was born Nov.17, 1946, in Marshall, Minn., to Ralph and Madeline Andres. Gregg graduated from Central Catholic High School in Marshall.

Gregg grew up on a farm in Minnesota. Nature and animals were themes throughout his life. He worked as a farrier for many years and enjoyed working with horses as well as the many dogs he owned and showed. Gregg loved growing things and spent many hours planning and tending to his plantings. He loved both the open prairie and the Black Hills, taking many family vacations to camp in Custer State Park.

He loved to meet people, and was likely to strike up a conversation with anyone. Gregg had a unique gift in being able to tell a story that always left a lasting memory on those who heard it.

Gregg enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in September of 1966 and honorably served through May of 1972. He fought in one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War, the Battle of Khe Sanh, where the Marines were under massive artillery bombardment for 77 days and fought off an intense siege. Although Gregg went on to many other pursuits, this service and the Marine Corps were among the defining factors in his life, and Gregg was proud of his service. His family honors and respects his service.

Survivors include his wife, Sara (Marcy) Andres; three daughters and two sons: Rachel Andres of Redwood City, Calif., Elizabeth Andres of Ft. Collins, Colo., Brett Andres of Omaha and Hannah and Kenyon Andres of Sammamish, Wash.; four sisters and their spouses: Jo and Al Nyland, Ardyce and Bruce Pederson, Mary McCoy and Jim Johnson and Katie and Donald Trandem; and sister-in-law Susie Pollack.

Gregg was preceded in death by his brother, William “Bill” Andres.

The family suggests remembrances to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation at www.marineheritage.org/MakeDonation.asp or 800-397-7585 or info@marineheritage.org.

Flintoft’s Funeral Home and Crematory in Issaquah, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.

An online guest book is available at www.flintofts.com.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~