SOUTH BEND, Ind. | Lenore Sharpe Roark passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2015, in Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on January 29, 1932, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Wayne and Sarah (Dunn) Sharpe. She attended Mason City Schools and graduated from Mason City High School in June of 1950. On October 20, 1951, at the 1st Baptist Church in Mason City, she married Richard D. Roark, who survives.
Also surviving are 2 sons: Michael R. (Marcia) of Ramsey, MN, and Timothy D. (Marcia) of Brush Prairie, WA, and 2 daughters Sue E. (Rick) Lewis of Iowa City, IA, and Peg Kelley of South Bend, IN. There are 5 surviving grandsons: Jason Roark (Rodney Weck) of Robbinsdale, MN, Christopher Lewis of Lafayette, CO, Ben Lewis of Iowa City, IA, Jon Lewis of Manchester, CT and Justin (Amanda) Myers of Murfreesboro, NC. There are 3 granddaughters: Jennifer (Jaffa) Lewis Rosenfels of Broomfield, CO; Sara (Paul) Roark Bobich of Otsego, MN; and Colleen (Chad) Roark Chadwick of Otsego, MN. Seven great-grandchildren survive also: Kellan and Harper Rosenfels of Broomfield, CO; Lillian Kay Bobich and Ellieana May Chadwick of Otsego, MN; Richard, William, and Peter Myers of Murfreesboro, NC. There are also surviving 2 nieces: Kris Kunz of Shawnee, KS and Linda Austin of Largo, FL and 4 nephews: Don Kunz of Bend, OR, Michael Galan of Clovis, CA, Bruce Austin of Seattle, WA and Steve Austin of Bellingham, WA.
When she and Richard moved to South Bend from Mason City in 1975, she went to work for Valley Lea Dairies in the Customer Service Department until they closed their office in 1986. She then worked for a short time at IUSB in the Graduate Studies Department and ended her working career at the University of Notre Dame Law School, NITA offices, in a clerical position.
Lenore was a member of 1st Baptist Church in Mason City and current member of Michiana Community Church of God, Granger, IN; a past member of the Mason City Chapter of AGO-American Guild of Organists and Pilot Club International, member of Mississinewa Valley Chapter of DAC (Daughters of American Colonists), volunteer and member of The Friends of the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame, and the NRA.
There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place.
There will be a memorial service at 4 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2015, at the Michiana Community Church of God, 51637 Ash Road, Granger, IN, with Pastor Denver Burns conducting the service.
Friends may meet with family at the Church 1 hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to 1st Baptist Church, 125 East State, Mason City, IA 50401; Friends of the Snite Museum, University of Notre Dame, PO Box 368, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0368, Michiana Community Church of God, 51637 Ash Road, Granger, IN 46530, or The Center For Hospice, Care, Inc. 111 Sunnybrook Court South Bend, IN 46637.
Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kaniewski Funeral Homes, Inc., 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN 46628, 574-277-4444, www.kaniewski.com.