Kenneth Leroy Combs

Kenneth Leroy Combs was born on July 20, 1948 to John and Amelia (Moeller) Combs in Burke, South Dakota. He was an only child. He grew up on the Combs family farm north of Dallas that was established in 1906.

Ken attended country school north of Dallas through the eighth grade and then attended Gregory High School and graduated in 1966.

Ken helped his dad on the farm after he graduated until he was drafted into the Army on April 10, 1968. He was deployed to Germany during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged on April 1, 1970. After Ken was discharged he returned to the farm he loved to help his dad.

Ken was united in marriage to Twila Boes on December 8, 1973 at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, South Dakota. They are blessed with four children: Brent, Dawn, Heather and Joshua. They have been happily married for 51 years. Ken and Twila lived their entire married life on the family farm that Ken loved so much.

Ken was very well known for his mechanical talent as he was able to fix just about anything. He was a collector of 1959 Ford cars in his younger days as he collected nine of them that still sit on the family farm today. Ken enjoyed working on farm equipment and his "niners" and took immense pride sharing this mechanical talent with his children and grandchildren. Ken also had this "deep belly" laugh and if he found something truly funny, every single person in the room would know about it. He will be missed dearly by all of his family and friends for many years to come.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife Twila of Dallas, SD; his children Brent (Jennifer) Combs of Dallas, SD, Dawn Gleeson of Australia, Heather (Casey) Williamson of Rapid City, SD, and Joshua (Brooke) Combs of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren Jonny Combs, Blake (Amber) Combs, Bryan (Samantha) Combs, Lincoln, Hayes and Reese Williamson, Taj and Shae Gleeson, Elara and Julia Combs; and great grandchildren Winnie and Kinsley Combs.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents John and Amelia Combs, in-laws Naven and Opal Boes, sister-in-law Joyce Wilsey, and her son Stephen, and his grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

Funeral services for Kenneth Combs, age 77, of Dallas, SD, were held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 10:30 am at St John Lutheran Church, Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring and Pastor Bill Serr officiating. A prayer service was held on Friday evening at 7 pm at the church, with visitation from 6-7 pm.

Music was provided by Melanie Hannahs, organist.

Congregational hymns were "How Great Thou Art," "On Eagles Wings," and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Soloist Geoff Smith sang "Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone."

Jennifer Combs and Brooke Combs were in charge of registration.

Flower attendants were Emily Boes and Krista Cerney.

Casket Bearers were Jonny Combs, Blake Combs, Bryan Combs, Taj Gleeson, Lincoln Williamson, and Hayes Williamson.

Honorary Casket Bearers were Shae Gleeson, Reese Williamson, Elara Combs, Julia Combs, Winnie Combs, and Kinsley Combs.

Military Honors conferred by the Gregory American Legion, the Dallas American Legion and the National Honors Team.

Interment was in the Hillview Cemetery, Dallas, SD.