It is with sad hearts we announce the passing of our dear Mother and Matriarch of our family. Vera Combs, 95 years of age, of North Platte, NE, passed away with her family by her side on August 10, 2021, in North Platte.
Vera was born to Ed and Alice Dillin on September 24, 1925, at her grandmother's home in Sutherland, Nebraska. Her family lived in the sandhills in a home without electricity or running water and she attended grades K-7 in a one room school house. When she was 14, she moved to Sutherland to attend high school. She worked at the Sutherland Hospital while going to school and graduated in 1944.
During her senior year, Vera was engaged to Vernon Combs as World War II engulfed the world. Vernon entered the U.S. Marine Corps. and was sent to Camp Pendleton for boot camp. Missing Vera, he asked her to come to California and marry him so she did and they were married October 5, 1944, in Riverside, CA, one month before Vernon left for the war. Vernon miraculously survived a gunshot wound on Iwo Jima and returned home to Vera just as he had promised.
Vernon and Vera lived in North Platte with their three children, Lynette, Steven and Kevin. Vera was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, making wonderful memories through the years with her family. Over the years, she worked for Dr. Moss, Dr. Dougherty and lastly, for Allen Jared Florist.
Vera was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in various capacities including 20 years in the Family History Center. She helped many people research their genealogy. After retiring, Vernon and Vera served an 18-month mission for the church in London, England.
Vera is survived by her three children: Lynette (Larry) Young, of Ventura, CA, Steven (Valerie) Combs, of Brighton, CO, and Kevin (Cindy) Combs, of Provo, UT; 11 grandchildren, many great grandchildren and other family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, her brother and her grandson, Shane Young.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Platte with Bishop Jesse Dunn conducting. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with family greeting friends from 4-6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Brite Blue Foundation (briteblue.org).