Ruth Esther Coombs (Brecht) was born in Culbertson, Neb. on Dec. 23, 1921 to George and Anna Marie (Walker) Brecht. She passed away on Saturday, March 31 at 4:30 p.m. at Sunrise Guest Home in Elk Grove, Calif. with family members by her side.

Ruth was the youngest child of a family of five boys – six children total. She graduated from high school at the age of 16 in Herndon, Kan. as salutatorian of her class. She received a scholarship for Business School in Grand Island, Neb., where she met her beloved husband, Albert Roland (“Rolly”) Coombs. They were married in Kansas a year later on Nov. 17, 1939. Ruth and Rolly settled in Scottsbluff, Neb., where they lived for the next 20 years and raised their four children.

In 1959 the family moved to Southern California, and after the children were on their own, Rolly and Ruth moved to Northern California, where they lived in Antioch and then Oakley.

Ruth will be remembered for her warmth and absolute dedication as a wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend to so many. Ruth is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years and is survived by their four children and spouses: JoDee and Jim Moore, Donald and Paula Coombs, Richard and Barbara Coombs and Michael and Terry Coombs; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Her family is blessed with the memories of her beauty, spunkiness, strength and the wisdom she bestowed. She will forever be loved and missed by all.