April 22, 1954 – November 30, 2023

Born in Denver, CO to Louis and Clara Bender, Marian was one of 9 children in a loving, catholic family. After graduating from high school, she went seeking a degree and more importantly, a Mountain Man at Colorado State University. She found the latter, and was married to David Combs of Steamboat Springs, August 1971. From that point, their grand adventure began. Their first daughter, Kelda, was born in Palmer Alaska where Marian supported her husband while rearing a newborn in the Wild Frontier. But after she had enough of the simpler life, David followed her back to Colorado where they had three more children Traeger, Brienna, and Jannike in Steamboat Springs. Marian and David owned a successful Construction business for many years and helped their community and friends in countless ways.

Marian was one of the wisest, humblest, hardest working, toughest women around. Her intuition and loving nature made her a phenomenal grandmother, mother, and wife, her creative genius and artistic talents allowed her to master crafts such as wood carving and candle making. She had a huge heart and at 69, could still outwork most half her age. Marian’s other love, besides David, was of animals. After moving from Buffalo Pass, she acquired her dream of a Gypsy Vanner horse ranch, Cayuse Meadows on Trout Creek.

Hardships occurred, and in time David’s health diminished. But their love for one another and the Lord only grew stronger. They had many friends help them through the last hard ten years they faced, until her beloved passed. It was only two years after David’s death that Marian’s own health suddenly turned and after a short but hard fight, she passed. Her memory and our love for her will continue for generations through the memories and lessons she left with so many of us.

A Celebration of Life for Marian Combs will be Spring 2024, date to be announced.