Thad L. Ashwill, age 87, of Annandale, died Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Memorial Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 10, 2026, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Buffalo with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Ryan Clark and Pastor Chris Ryan will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Annandale.

Thad Leonard Ashwill was born December 10, 1938, in Kingston Township to Leonard and Mabel (Jacobson) Ashwill. Thad was a graduate of Kimball High School and pursued further education at the University of Minnesota, focusing on agriculture. He met the love of his life, Diana Hawkinson, and they were united in marriage on September 8, 1962, at Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale. They lived a short time in Minneapolis before building a home in Annandale in 1964, where they would raise their three children, Tab, Trent, and Tracy.

Thad devoted 30 years of his career to the Ford Motor Company in St. Paul. Even after his retirement, his passion for agriculture remained strong as he farmed for Doug Triplett for 25 years. Thad found joy in farming, fishing, hunting, playing cards, listening to old country music, watching old history documentaries, drinking his daily coffee with friends, driving around town to see what is new, touring the crops, and talking with farmers. His greatest joy came from spending time with his children and grandchildren. Thad was active in his faith, a former member of Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale and a current member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo.

Thad is survived by his wife of 63 years, Diana Ashwill; children, Tab (Rhonda) Ashwill of Bloomington, Trent (Jennifer) Ashwill of Plymouth, and Tracy (Gary) Schill of Clearwater; grandchildren, Meghan (Alex) Peters, Molly (Danny) Dougherty, Hannah Ashwill, Ryan (fiance Ali Brower) Nicholas Ashwill (Mary Rolfes), and Patrick "Willy" Ashwill; great-grandchildren, Alba, Kieran, Michael and Mina Dougherty; Brady, Joanna and Abigale Peters; sister, Nancy Harbinson of Buffalo; and many cherished friends and family members. Thad was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Mabel Ashwill; and siblings, Don Ashwill, Janet Adams, Gary Ashwill and Gladys Ashwill.

Thad's grandchildren will serve as urn bearers for the service. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.