Fred Roark

Memorial Service for Fred Fritz H. Roark, 87, of Browns Valley, Minnesota will be held Monday, July 5, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. at the United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley, Minnesota with Rev. Anna Williamson officiating. Organist will be Janet LeClair with Special Music provided by Steve Helgeson. Urn Bearer will be Dustin Roark. Honorary Urn Bearers will be Fritzs Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. Interment will take place at a later date. Fritz was born on December 14, 1922 in Browns Valley, Minnesota to Claude E. and Grace Fern (Beumer) Roark. He attended country school in Roberts County, South Dakota. He was united in marriage to Dolores A. Ohland on November 15, 1946 in Wheaton, Minnesota. This union was blessed with four children. A hard working man with great love of family and country his smile along with wonderful sense of humor, easy-going nature, abundant patience and understanding warmed the hearts of all who met him. Farming was his lifes work and passion. What little spare time he afforded himself was spent with family and friends: snowmobiling, roller skating, fish frys, poker parties, time at Butchs, happy hours, Canasta parties, small game hunting, fishing and 4th of July picnics at Hurlbuts beach. Fritz passed away June 30, 2010 with his family at his side at Browns Valley Health Center in Browns Valley, Minnesota. Fritz is survived by his wife, Dolores Dodie Roark of Browns Valley, Minnesota, Children: Karen (Steve) Helgeson of Bismarck, North Dakota, Mark (Rose) Roark of Browns Valley, Minnesota, Bruce (Cheryl) Roark of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Don Roark of Milbank, South Dakota, Grandchildren: Greg (Donna) Helgeson of Bismarck, North Dakota, Jason (Lynette) Helgeson of Mandan, North Dakota, Michelle (Travis) Klabo of Fargo, North Dakota, Julie (Evan) Wahl of Murrieta, California, Nicole Roark (fianc John David) of Moorhead, Minnesota, Autumn Roark of Fargo, North Dakota and Dustin Roark of Ft. Collins, Colorado, nine Great-Grandchildren, and one Sister-in-law: Betty Roark of Browns Valley, Minnesota. Fritz was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jim Roark. It is hard to say good-bye but we welcome the peace we know he now has.