RAPID CITY--Louis M. Thares, 88, died at Rapid City Regional Hospital on Wednesday, February 4, 2009. Louis was born on October 14, 1920, in Ipswich to Anton and Barbara (Fetti) Thares. He grew up in Mobridge and graduated from Mobridge High School in 1940. He began working for the railroad immediately after high school until enlisting in the Army in 1942. He served in the Mediterranean Theatre and was discharged as a staff sergeant. He returned to Vermillion, where he attended college and studied accounting. After college Louis began work for Standard Oil as an auditor. On April 25, 1953, he married Aileen 'Andy' Anderson. The couple made their home in Rapid City. Louis traveled the Upper Plains states as an Auditor, until retiring from then Amoco in 1976. Louis was then employed at Dugan Transport out of Sioux Falls in Public Relations and later at M. G. Oil. Louis was a life member of Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and enjoyed coin collecting and maintained a meticulous yard. He is survived by his wife, Aileen 'Andy' Thares, Rapid City; a half sister, Margaret Lueder, Lincoln, NE; 3 sisters-in-law, Loretta Kline, Worth, IL, Mary Thares, Mobridge, Lucille Thares, Faulkton; 3 brothers-in-law, Roy Anderson, El Paso, TX, Kenneth (Fern) Anderson, Spearfish and Darrell Anderson, Rapid City and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 10 siblings, a brother-in-law, Clarence Anderson and a sister-in-law, Esther Hubbard. Visitation will be from 2 until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, at the funeral home with Pastor Bruce Thalacker officiating. Burial, with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273, will follow in Black Hills National Cemetery. A luncheon willl follow at Post 1273. A memorial has been established to VFW Post 1273.