Raedene Sears Mccombs

“ A woman worthy of imitation.” RaeDene Sears McCombs left this earth life July 22, 2022, surrounded by family who love and adore her. Everything she did was to perfection, and every person who crossed her path will never be the same.
RaeDene was born May 24, 1946, in Preston, Idaho to Lester and Mary Sears. She was the only daughter of five children, being born in the middle of four brothers. Of her brothers, RaeDene said “I idolized them.” Her older brothers nicknamed her “pie,” and later said it was short for sweetie pie, but she thought they meant cow pie. RaeDene always kept a close relationship with each of her four brothers, knowing what was going on in their lives and also the lives of their families.
When RaeDene was 13, she met Gordon McCombs, who was 16 at the time. He had been hired to work on her father’s beet farm. When she accidentally cut him with a beet knife, Gordon’s only response was “Ouch!” which really impressed her because she was expecting something much different. During that time, they made a plan to go on a date when RaeDene turned 14, the age at which she was permitted to date. To her surprise Gordon kept that date, and they were eventually married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on September 10, 1964.
RaeDene was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many callings in the church including Primary President, Young Women’s President (a calling she held in her older years, but still gave it all of the energy and enthusiasm of someone much younger), Relief Society President, and Cub Scout Leader. She rarely missed a month of visiting teaching/ministering, and truly knew and loved those whom she served in any capacity. She also shared her piano/organ playing skills at church when called upon. She was always concerned that when she played, trained musicians would hear her mistakes; however, her playing skills were wonderful, probably because she played from the heart, just like everything else she did in life.
The joy of RaeDene’s life was family. She and Gordon were blessed with four sons, and one daughter, Tricia. Tricia was born in the middle of four brothers, just like RaeDene. Tricia and RaeDene also share the same birthday. Gordon and RaeDene lived in different locations throughout their early years, as they started a family. This included Salt Lake where oldest son, Quint, was born, then the former mining town of Lark, during which time Curtis and Tricia joined the family. They spent a short time in New Mexico due to Gordon’s employment at Sharon Steele, then the family moved back to Granger, at which time Gregg joined the family. In 1975 they settled in their lifelong home in West Valley City, and at that time, Rob was born, completing their family of seven.
RaeDene had several jobs throughout her life including working for the former Green Sheet newspaper, Sorenson Research, and Franklin Institute. The job she excelled at most was taking care of her family. She never missed a birthday, anniversary, or any other significant event in the lives of her children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, great grandchildren and even extended family. Her cards and gifts were prepared and decorated with RaeDene’s special thoughtfulness and flair. Family parties were, themselves, a masterpiece, and she spent several hours planning for these occasions, with wonderful activities, decorations, and food. It seems that every thing she touched was truly magical, at least in the eyes of her family.
In addition to their five children, RaeDene and Gordon have been blessed with 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, with one on the way. She attended every event her children participated in, and did the same as a grandmother. These activities included sports, dance, choir, cheerleading, debate, plays, musicals, motocross, and everything in between. Reading comments from some of the grandchildren, it seems that grandma’s support for them, along with her fun activities like feeding the ducks, sleeping in the trailer in the backyard, and camping at Lagoon, will be what they will remember most. RaeDene truly was a cheerleader for each family member and really tried to know each individually. She could tell you about every family member and their personalities and strengths. This made each one feel loved and special. We know she will continue to be an unseen, but still very present cheerleader for her family.
RaeDene is survived by her lifelong sweetheart Gordon, children: Quint and Trudy, Curtis and Becky, Tricia and Gregg Hastings, Gregg and Cassie, and Rob and Shannon. Also survived by her 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren (with one on the way), brother Doyle (Wendy) Sears, brother Calvin Sears, sister-in-law Dixie Henderson, and numerous nieces and nephews on both the McCombs and Sears sides of the family. RaeDene was preceded in death by her parents Lester and Mary Sears, her in-laws John and Alta McCombs, brothers Paul and Clark Sears, sister-in-law Raelene Sears, brother-in-law Ivan Henderson, and granddaughter Jordyn McCombs.
Funeral services for RaeDene will be held on July 29, 2022, at 11:00 AM at the LDS Church located at 4322 South 5400 West in West Valley City, Utah. A viewing will precede from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM. Interment will be at the Herriman Cemetery, 12465 South Pioneer Street (6000 West), Herriman, Utah.
When recently asked her idea of perfect happiness, RaeDene said “It is our knowledge and understanding that this is a ‘forever’ thing, and our perfect happiness will not end with our earthly experiences and joys. She continued to say, “May you all come to realize perfect happiness. It is a lifelong endeavor. Enjoy your journey.”
Service Information
Viewing July 29, 2022 at 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM
4322 South 5400 West, West Valley City, Utah





Funeral Service
July 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM
4322 South 5400 West, West Valley City, Utah