Marie Combelic

Sunnyside, Wash.
Smith Funeral Home
Marie Combelic passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at her Sunnyside home.
She was born on July 5, 1907, in Kennewick, Washington, to Jens and Oline (Hove) Lande.
She grew up in Finley, Washington, south of Kennewick. She attended school there and in 1925 graduated from Kennewick High School.
Marie attended Eastern Washington Normal School for two years receiving a 'Life' teaching certificate.
Her teaching career began in the Rattlesnake Hills northeast of Prosser in the one room Jones School.
From there she moved to teach at Blockhouse near Goldendale and also taught in Cathlamet before beginning her 40 years of teaching service in Sunnyside.
She was an originator of the Special Education program in the Sunnyside School District and also taught first and second grade. She loved each and every child that entered her classroom and always said that he or she was the 'smartest child I've ever known.'
Marie was very active in the community. Long involved in
4-H work, she was a 50-year 4-H leader and received the Washington State Distinguished 4-H Alumni Award.
Always a leader, she held offices in the Yakima County 4-H council, Sunnyside Business and Professional Women's Club, Lower Valley Antique Club, Sunnyside Museum, Yakima Valley Fair and Sunnyside Education Association. She was also active in her church, Our Saviour's Lutheran in Sunnyside. She served as president of the churchwomen's group and volunteered for many and various committees.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, E. Verne Combelic; daughter, Alice Marie Thompson; grandson, Myron Lande Combelic Jr.; as well as her brothers, Peter, Jesse, Orin and Erling Lande.
She is survived by her children, Mike (Martha) Combelic, Jim (Kathy) Combelic, Neil (Mai) Combelic and Cathy (Willard) Mears. Also surviving are grandchildren, Robert, Mark, Craig, Candi, Jim, Mike, Gina, Gaye, Glenn, Christopher and Kelly as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Marie loved life, people and doing for others. She always was gracious and embodied a wonderful sense of humor. Nothing brought her more joy than to gather roses from her garden and share them with a friend or neighbor.
Special thanks are given to Lower Valley Hospice and caretakers, Elaine Simmons, Carol Brumley, Cherie Dalrymple and Glenn Thompson.
Viewing and Visitation will be held Friday, March 18, 2005, from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.
Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2005, at the Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside.
Burial will be in the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens. A luncheon will follow the committal service at Our Saviours Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be made to Outlook Elementary School to purchase books for those children who have none at home.