Mary Jane (Boxberger) Combs, 78, of Andover, Minneapolis and former Russell, Kansas, resident, departed this life on January 27, 2016, at her home in Andover, Minnesota. 

Mary was born in Ellsworth, Kansas on December 20, 1937, and was the daughter of William F. and Ida C. (Nuss) Boxberger.  Mary lived her early life in Russell, Kansas and graduated from Russell High School with the class of 1955.  She graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1959 with a degree in Business Administration and Economics.  Mary was a lifelong learner, completing programs in marketing, banking, and finance along the way.  She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Ronald H. Combs on August 26, 1956, at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell.  This union was blessed with two children, Michael Scott in 1960,  and Patrick Lantz in 1963. 

She moved to Grand Island, Nebraska in 1969 and after her children were in school, Mary embarked on an amazing career.  Starting as a teacher, she rapidly transferred her skills to retail management, bank marketing and management, and eventually worked in financial marketing.  She completed her career as Vice President of institutional sales and marketing for Federated Investors, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

She enjoyed friends, family and especially her grand children.

Surviving family include her husband Ronald of the home; son Patrick Combs and wife Ann-Marie and their two children John and Diana of Georgetown, Texas and her beloved sister Frances Mae Boxberger of Russell, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents William F. and Ida C. Boxberger; son Michael Scott Combs, and her brother Paul W. Boxberger.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held at 2 PM on Friday, February 05, 2016, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell.  Family will greet friends on Friday, February 5th and will begin at noon and end just before the 2 P.M. service time.  Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children's Hospital and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.