Millie Combs

Millie Combs, age 90, of Austin, Texas passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 10, 2024 with her children by her side. She was born September 13, 1933, on the family farm in Edon, Ohio to Oren and Doris Maybee. She fondly recounted stories of finding kittens in the hay barn, making angels in the snow, and watching her dad hitch up the horse team for the milk route, but Depression era values shaped her life. She grew up helping on the farm - gathering eggs, going on the milk route and helping her mother can food from their large garden Millie learned to make wonderful apple pies and sugar cookies from scratch, which she took pleasure in doing for her family and friends throughout her life
After graduating from the Edon High School in 1951, Millie moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, attended International Business School, and then went to work for The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. There she met the love of her life and future husband, Don Combs. Millie and Don were married in 1956 and lived in Fort Wayne where they had two children, Becky and Lee Combs.
In 1965, Don was recruited by Manhattan Mutual Life Insurance Company and they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, a wonderful community that they truly loved. Millie had a variety of interests though she always put her family first. She was a tireless mother and homemaker. Millie loved flowers and gardening, and she and Don took much joy from tending to their yard and flower gardens. They were Master Gardeners and spent many happy hours with fellow garden club members working on garden and park projects to beautify the community. During her younger years, she was interested in weaving, woodworking, and art classes at Kansas State University. She was someone who could see beauty in all things. Her passion in later years was genealogy and she spent many happy hours tracing her own family history as well as working at the Riley County Genealogical Society helping others find their family roots. Millie and Don enjoyed long road trips and often visited friends and family around the country. Millie made many dear friends over the years, and she treasured them. Neighbors and friends were so important to her and a blessing throughout her life. She kept in touch by writing notes and letters to all of them in her beautiful cursive handwriting.
Following Don's passing in 2015, Millie moved to Austin to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She loved watching the sun rise and set over green trees from the balconies of her assisted living apartment at the Belmont Village in Westlake Hills, Texas. Millie and Becky spent many happy hours planting flowers on the balconies and watching beautiful sunsets. Millie's apartment was filled with pictures friends and family she loved.
Millie was preceded in death by her parents, Oren and Doris Maybee, and her husband, Don Combs.
She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Osborn; her sister-in-law Nancy Cutshall; her daughter Becky Combs; her son Lee Combs, wife Jan Combs, and their children Charlie and Clare, and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home at 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Sunrise Cemetery, 2901 Stagg Hill Road, Manhattan KS 66502.
In October, a Memorial for Millie will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3525 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Tx. 78746.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Riley County Genealogical Society in Manhattan, Kansas, www.RileyCGS.com and to the Shepherd's Garden at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Austin, Texas, www.shephills.org
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com