Cover photo for John Combs's Obituary
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John Combs

d. June 29, 2014

John Combs

Funeral Services for John Combs, 88, of Killdeer, will be 10:00 am, Thursday, July 3, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Killdeer with Pastor John Simonson officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan. Visitation for John will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Killdeer with a prayer service being held at 7:00 pm. John passed away Sunday, June 29, 2014 at Hilltop Home of Comfort in Killdeer, ND. John Charles Combs was born September 7, 1925 in Sentinel Butte, ND, the oldest child born to Jack “John” and Doris (Woods) Combs. At the age of 12, John’s father passed away from cancer and he was told “now you are the man of the house”. He felt a great responsibility to provide for his mother and siblings. His mother later married Ole Omley. John attended Nelson country school and graduated from Sentinel Butte High School in 1943. He volunteered for the Navy V-12 Pilot Program at Valley City State College. During his course studies, he developed rheumatic fever which ended his hope of flying. The Navy sent him to California to recuperate and to work in a canning factory. Once recovered, he was sent to Washington, DC to work as a supply specialist near Arlington Cemetery. He was honorably discharged in 1946. John returned home and worked for a custom combiner traveling from Texas to Canada for two seasons. Following this, he applied for a job with the Soil Conservation Service and was transferred to Killdeer on January 1, 1961. After working for over 30 years, John retired in 1980. During his retirement, John took courses in Bismarck to become a surveyor. This led to a career in surveying for over 20 years. John worked for Kadrmas, Lee and Jackson and did many surveys for individuals. He served as secretary-treasurer of the Badlands Professional Land Surveyors for over 15 years. John had a mini-stroke in an eye in the mid-90’s that impacted his ability to work. He once again retired and spent his time volunteering around town. John used his tractor to maintain the trees and shape the landscape at the nursing home, the church, and at home. On August 1, 1961, John and Ferne (Murray) Nordin were united in marriage. John had one daughter, Carolyn, and four step-children: James, Doreen, Candace and Kenton. The couple traveled to Columbia, England and Scotland, and many places in the USA. Shortly after moving to Killdeer an acquaintance insulted John by calling Killdeer a sack town. This motivated him to devote his time to improving the community of Killdeer and Dunn County. He was a long time member of the Lion’s Club and was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for Humanitarian Service in 1997. He was a member of the Rural Life Committee and a dedicated member of the American Legion for over 60 years; serving as Commander for one term. John started the Killdeer Area Development Corporation which led to the building of the Killdeer Mall, adding many new businesses to the community. He worked on the Town Criers Tourism Committee adding a tourism information center and improved road signs for Highway 22 North. He received a tourism award from Governor Schaefer for his work in having it designated a scenic byway. John helped get the Hilltop Home of Comfort built and served on the Board of Directors for many years. The last project he was involved with was the High Plains Cultural Center which once completed should be a great addition to the area. John was active in St. John’s Lutheran Church and served on the committee that built the church in 1965 and represented the church at many meetings of the LCA Synod in Fargo. As a Synod representative John made trips to Holden Village on Chillean Lake, WA and Washington, DC. John is survived by his wife Ferne; daughter, Carolyn Moyer of Colorado Springs, CO; step-daughters Doreen (Dale) Orf of Grassy Butte, Candace (Charlie) Jerke of Florence, MT; and step-son, Kenton Nordin of Glendive, MT; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-son, James Nordin; brothers, Roy, and Gerald; and one sister, Mina Koppinger. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Badlands Ministries or Hilltop Home of Comfort.


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Burial Date: July 3, 2014
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND

Funeral Service: Thursday: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, ND
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