Dolores J. Groesbeck

Dolores (Dee) J. Groesbeck, 80, went to be with the Lord, Monday Nov. 1, 2021, with her loving son by her side at the Madison County Medical Center in Winterset.

Dee was born in Panora, Nov. 19, 1940, the middle child of three to Harold Keith McKray and Doris Alherta (DeVoght) McKray. Dee grew up in Des Moines, but later graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Sioux City in 1959.

Dee was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandma, aunt, great aunt, and friend who will be dearly missed. On Sept. 30, 1960, during her first union in marriage she gave birth to her only son, Jay. One of her accomplished goals in life was to make sure Jay always had the best care, clothing and shelter and received a college education.

Dee spent most of her adult career in the health care industry. Starting in 1978 she joined Medicare B as a claims associate. Then in 1979 she went to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield in the CEE department. She advanced to supervisor, and in 1996, she retired from the Blue Cross Blue Shield claims department as a “claim prep supervisor.”

During this journey, and along the path, she met and married her beloved current husband, Dan Groesbeck. Dee became the love of his life, and they were married Feb. 22, 1976, in Lorimor, and have remained in Lorimor during their whole journey together. Dee loved doing many things like taking pictures, making hand ceramics, camping and most of all Christmas shopping.

Dee was preceded in death by both her parents, Harold and Doris McKray and older brother, Darwin McKray.

Dee leaves behind to cherish her precious memories: her husband, Dan; her son, Jerry (Colleen) J Jenkins Jr.; her granddaughter, Madison Skipper-Dee Jenkins; sister, DeLane (Kent) Sparland; nephews, Matthew (Lisa) Sparland and Brian (Joy) Sparland; two great-nephews, Calvin and Burke; sister-in-law, Ruth McDowell; niece, Megan; sister-in-Law, Esther Means; niece, Jeanie; nephew, Jason; great-nephew and nieces: Tyler, Jessica and Rhianna; brother-In-Law, George Groesbeck; nephew, Ben Groesbeck; great-nephews and nieces: Harlow, Beau, Brilee, Cambri and Dani; niece, Sarah Meget; great-nephew and nieces: Jed, Ava, and Lindy Jo; bonus brother and sister, Sharon and Bruce Holtry.

Funeral services will be 12 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at Powers Funeral Home, 612 N. Dodge St. in Afton. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the ceremony starting at 1 pm. Services will be livestreamed at powersfh.com (link under events). Burial will be in Groesbeck Cemetery of Lorimor. Online condolences can be made at www.powersfh.com In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family.

In addition there will be a Celebration of Life Fellowship from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at The Tavern Pizza & Pasta Grill, 1755 50th St. in West Des Moines. Refreshments and food will be available while it lasts.