Combes, Keith M. (1924-2013)
COMBES, HELLMANN, MERTZ, JAHDE, ERICKSON
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/30/2013 at 10:11:08
Keith M. Combes
January 08, 1924 - January 09, 2013Sac City, Iowa, formerly of Nemaha and Newell, Iowa
Keith Merlin Combes, age 89, of Sac City and formerly of Nemaha and Newell, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City. Keith was born on a farm southwest of Nemaha to Merle and Edna (Hellmann) Combes on January 8, 1924. He graduated from Nemaha High School in 1941 and continued to help his Dad and his Uncle Roy on the farm.
He was inducted into the United States Army in October, 1944, and was sent to Florida for training, then shipped overseas where he joined the 87th Division (Golden Acorn) under the command of General Patton. He was decorated with a Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement, a European African Middle Eastern Theater Medal, three Bronze Battle Stars, and one overseas service bar for his service in the Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes Campaigns. He came home on furlough and on July 20, 1945, and married June Mertz at Kerkhoven, Minnesota. After his discharge, he and June came back to farm in the Nemaha area. They were blessed with three children: Jean, Dale, and James. In 1983, they retired to Newell, but Keith continued to work on the farm. In 2005, he and June entered Park View Care Center. June passed away on December 8, 2006.
In their earlier years, they enjoyed dancing (He met June at the Cobblestone.), roller skating, square dancing, and fishing. An active member of the Nemaha and Newell United Methodist Churches, the Lions Club, and the VFW, he also served on the Crestland School Board and the Newell Library Board. He liked watching Jim and Jason race motorcycles as well as riding his own motorcycle. A ham radio operator for many years, he also enjoyed visiting with people from around the world. He was a big fan of the Nemaha Farmall Promenade.
Survivors include his children: Jean (Phil) Jahde, of Alta, Dale Combes, of Aurora, Colorado, and Jim (Janene) Combes, of Nemaha; his grandchildren: Shana and Brice Combes, of Aurora, Colorado, Jason (Kayla Florke) Combes, of Nemaha, and Megan (Ben Lockwood) Combes, of Cherokee; his great-grandson, Ethan Combes, of Cherokee; his brother, Ray (Pat) Combes, of Joseph, Oregon; and his sister, Norma (Larry) Erickson, of Albert City; as well as extended family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, June; and his daughter-in-law, Sue Combes.
Visitation: 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, January 11, 2013, at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home, Sac City, Iowa.
Funeral Service: 10:30 am, Saturday, January 12, 2013, at the United Methodist Church, Nemaha, Iowa.
Interment: Following the service on January 12, 2013, at Nemaha Cemetery, Nemaha, Iowa.Copyright © 2013, Farber & Otteman Funeral Home
Farber & Otteman Funeral Home
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