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Mary Ellen Combs was born in Avon, South Dakota, December 22, 1934, to Emanuel and Lydia Hinzman. She passed away April 15, 2019, on her late husband Everett's birthday. Mary Ellen graduated from Avon High School in Avon, South Dakota. She then attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her mom, Lydia, sold the family farm and moved to Sioux Falls while Mary Ellen went to college. After graduation, Mary went to work for the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls. There she met Everett Combs, who was a patient at the VA Hospital due to injuries he sustained during the Korean War. They married in January 1960. Their son, Everett Combs Jr., was born in Huron, SD, where the family lived for several years. Everett Sr. got a job with the Bureau of Reclamation. They subsequently moved to Utah and then Montana, where their son, Carl, was born, in 1965. In 1967, they moved to Washington State where Everett worked at Grand Coulee Dam. The family moved to Almira, Washington.

Soon after moving to Almira, Mary and her children began attending the Hartline Assembly of God Church. Mary played the piano for the church services along with weddings and funerals. She coached the Bible Quiz Teams for many years. Mary was a board member of the Hartline Assembly of God as well as their secretary. Mary loved to teach piano. She taught hundreds of students throughout the years. Her piano recitals were always held at the Hartline Assembly of God Church. Everett Jr. and Carl played in a couple recitals even though they didn't practice much. Mary Ellen's other love was working at Lincoln Mutual, now known as AgLink. She was proud of her work and enjoyed talking with the farmers that came in daily. Her job at Lincoln Mutual afforded her the flexibility to leave work to teach piano lessons, and then return,\ to finish what needed to be done, in the evening. Many times she would arrive home between 10:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. Mary loved this quiet time and felt she could get a lot done without interruptions. Mary served on the Almira School Board for many years. She also served on the Almira Town Council. Mary enjoyed art. She painted a number of pictures that lined the hallway of her Almira home. She loved cats and birds. She was interested in technology and enjoyed driving her Hybrid Prius. Graveside Service for Mary will be held Saturday, May 11, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Almira Cemetery, Almira, WA. A Memorial Service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Hartline Assembly of God Church, Hartline, WA. Memorials may be made to Hartline Assembly of God Church or the Almira Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com for the Combs family. Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, WA, is caring for the family.