Lea Groesbeck passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on October 14, 2024.

She was born Veralea Joy on August 11, 1930 and was quickly adopted by Vern and Marjorie Folks. She had an interesting and sometimes difficult childhood, which included the divorce of her parents and frequent sudden moves across the country including to Chicago and Washington, D.C. The bright spots in her childhood were her grandmother, who she called Mamie, her aunt Muriel and uncle George, and cousins Marjorie June and Jean Marie. Muriel, George, Marjorie June and Jean Marie would include Lea in their family, picking her up from the train station in Oklahoma City whenever she would arrive seeking their warmth and comfort.

Lea married Jim Groesbeck on October 11, 1947. They were introduced by her aunt and Jim's friend's uncle. Jim saw her across the street and that is all it took. After their marriage, they had three children together — son Jim and daughters Carol and Janet. The family took pleasure in serving together in their church, traveling and spending time with Jim's mother, father and sister — all of whom had a profound influence on Lea as a young adult.

While Lea took great pride in her principle occupation as a homemaker, she also worked on occasion for the benefits of "walking around money" and an expanded social circle. She worked seasonally selling jewelry at the John A. Brown department store, as a clerk at Wilson's meatpacking plant and at a tag agency. At Wilson's, she made lifelong friends who brought her many laughs and different perspectives on life.

Lea outlived every one of those friends, as well as her husband and her son, but she did not outlive her strong will, her continual search for something to laugh about, or her quiet contentment at home. In her later years, she had both knees replaced to ensure her comfort and mobility, gardened extensively, traveled often with Janet and her husband Glenn, and rescued a delightfully odd dog named Lily who gave her wonderful companionship. Lea also read voraciously and completed thousands of coloring sheets on her iPad. Her fighting spirit lasted until her final days; even when her body would not allow it, she would say "I've got to get up and do something!" with same strength and determination that carried her for 94 years.

Lea is survived by her family, including:

Daughter ~ Janet Cameron and her husband, Glenn; their son, Greg and his husband, David Bennett, and their children Christina and Alvaro Bennett Cameron;

Daughter ~ Carol Dutton; her son, Brian Dutton and his wife, Heather; and their sons Carson and Connor; and her daughter Jana Atchley, her husband Chad and their daughters Madison and Makenzi.

Grandson ~ James Groesbeck, his wife Monica; their son Austin Burns, his wife Gabby and their children Elijah and Adeline; and their daughter Abigail.

Granddaughter ~ Brittanie Groesbeck, her partner Lisa Macias, and their daughters Marek and Kamryn.

Lea was preceded in death by her:

husband of 58 years, Jim Groesbeck,

son, Jim V. Groesbeck,

and son-in-law David Dutton.

Her family takes great delight in knowing they were joyfully reunited in heaven.

In Lieu of Flowers it was Lea's request that donations be made to your church, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation or Good Shepherd Hospice of Oklahoma City.