Carolee Groux

Carolee Groux

October 16, 1943 to September 20, 2023

Carolee Groux, at age 79 (just about one month before her 80^th birthday), peacefully passed away on September 20, 2023, at Hillcrest Millard Rehabilitation Facility in Omaha, Nebraska.

Carolee was born on October 16, 1943, to Gustave and Leota (Lerum) Sabin in Crookston, MN. On June 1, 1945 Carolee welcomed her brother Robert Sabin. She was raised and schooled in Crookston and graduated from Crookston Central High School in 1961. Robert and Carolee had many adventures through the years with their Sampson edition neighborhood friends. She loved to tell stories of ice skating in backyards and performing shows for each other and their parents.

Carolee first attended the University of North Dakota and studied Speech-Communication / Theater. She then decided to transfer to the University of Minnesota in Duluth. There, she studied Speech and Communication and graduated with a teaching degree. Carolee was active in theater, performing and directing throughout high school and college.

After graduation, Carolee decided that she needed a change from the cold north and took a teaching position in Reno, Nevada. She was a speech teacher at Washoe County School District. It is in Reno that she met her future husband, Norman Groux. They fell in love and married in the small historic town of Virginia City, Nevada on June 18, 1968. In Carolee’s typical free-spirited way, she wore a white lace mini wedding dress with a pink satin bow around her waist.

Carolee and Norm moved to Denver, Colorado for Norm’s schooling and it is here that they welcomed their first and only child – daughter, Kelly Ann Groux on November 13, 1969. Norm and Carolee then made their home in Scottsbluff, NE. Carolee was an active member of her church and served a LaLeche League Leader.

In 1980, Norm was transferred to Omaha, Nebraska. Carolee went back to teaching as a para-professional at Ralston Middle School for a short time. Then in 1984, she went back to working in sales at Nebraska Furniture Mart. She retired in 2011 after 27 years with the company.

Through her lifetime, Carolee was a faithful member of various Lutheran Churches. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and was a member of various circles. Carolee was a woman of great faith and was a member of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE at the time of her passing.

Carolee is survived by her daughter, Kelly Groux of Gretna, NE; one grandson, Alexander Irwin, two granddaughters: Sophie Irwin and Chloe Irwin; brother, Robert Sabin of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Bernie DePoali (Groux); many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Carolee was preceded in death by her parents, Gustave Sabin and Leota Franklin (and second husband, George Franklin); husband, Norman Groux, son-in-law, Anthony Irwin; and brother-in-law, Tony Groux.

We will gather to Celebrate the Life of Carolee at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church – 90^th and Dodge Streets, Omaha, on November 18, 2023 at 10:30 am with a lunch to follow. Memorials can be made to St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church.