Kaethe Combs

Kaethe Combs, age 86, passed away on November 22, 2025, in Mesquite, Texas. She was born on August 23, 1939, in Bad Hersfeld, Germany to Karl and Marie Lange. She was raised and attended school in Bad Hersfeld. After completing school, she attended a trade school in Germany and learned how to fit and make dentures for people.

Kaethe married Jerry Ralph Combs on May 15, 1962, in Bad Hersfeld, Germany. They moved to Oklahoma in November 1962 and began to establish their family. She had four children (Jurgen, Jerry Don, Jeffrey William, and Susan Marcile).

Kaethe was Oma to 13 grandchildren (Kevin, Dean, Jennifer, Glen, Christopher, Carl, Anthony, Jarrett, Eric, Jesse, Jonathan, Jordan, Jacob) and 5 great-grandchildren (Colt, Luke, Alani, Aiden, Arthur).

Her family will always remember her as a devoted, kind and loving wife, mother, Oma, and child of God. Kaethe was active in the church helping teach Sunday school, greet guests, and assisting with potlucks and other events. She was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She liked to visit the Rutherford Senior Center to visit with friends and play cards. Kaethe enjoyed painting, cooking, baking, gardening, crocheting, shopping, playing dominoes, bird watching with her grandkids, and spending time with family and friends. She loved to host family at the house for the holidays and never let anyone leave after a visit without ‘a little something’. That little thing could be a few dollars stuffed into a pocket or cookies, candy, stollen (German Christmas cake), a toy, or some little thing she picked up at a sale and thought a family member would like. It was not uncommon to leave Kaethe’s house with a whole bag (or two) of groceries.

She is preceded in death by her parents Karl and Marie Lange, sisters Gertrude King, Gerda Fischer, and one grandchild, Jennifer.

Kaethe is survived by her husband, Jerry R. Combs, Leni Rosskopf (sister), Herman Lange (brother) and her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as multiple nieces and nephews.