Obituary of Joann Ruth Coombs

She is survived by children, Douglas (Susan) Coombs, of Maplewood, MN, & Laura (Steve) Look, of Pinole, CA; granddaughter, Kari Coombs; great-granddaughter, Payton Lynn Coombs; great-grandsons, Carter Douglas Coombs & Brady Daniel King; sister, Judie Johnsen; sister-in-law, Diane Coombs; nephews, Mark, Ross & Dean Johnsen.

Joann attended Horace Mann Elementary and Central High School in St. Paul. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1954 with a degree in Business Administration, where she belonged to Alpha Chi Omega.

After working many jobs to put herself through the University, she worked five years for The Toni Company (Gillette). She married Lyman on New Year’s Eve, 1958. They have lived in St. Paul, Shoreview, Maplewood, Arlington Heights, IL, Andover, MA, & Apple Valley, MN. She served on the NE Regional Board of Heifer Project Int. and in 1977 traveled to Central America with HPI. Other activities have included: Sunday School teacher, Mission Committee for West Parish Church (2 years as chairman), Board of Elders, 1983 Delegate to U.C.C General Synod, Girl Scout leader, English tutor, volunteering at Courage Center and at her children’s schools, Apple Valley chairman of the East Metro Annual Cancer Drive and chairman of Alumni Search Committee for Central High School Class of 1950 reunions for 25 years.

Joann has belonged to several genealogical societies in New England and Minnesota. She was treasurer of the Swedish Group for over 20 years. She has researched throughout the U. S. and Canada. She was an avid sports fan, loved to read, and traveled as much as possible, including many trips west and east to national parks, visiting friends and relatives, a bus tour of Italy, an Alaskan cruise and land tour, and two trips to Mexico visiting Mayan ruins and other sites.

A short memorial service will be held on April 25 at 1:00 PM at Anderson Funeral Home, 1401 Arcade St, St. Paul, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.  Interment Oakland Cemetery.