Erneta Roark

Erneta Marie Johanna Blum Roark, 98, of Aztec, passed away March 1st in Aztec. She was born October 10, 1919 in Rushville, NE., to Ernest & Mary (Heesacker) Blum.

Erneta graduated from Hay Springs High School in Hay Springs, NE. After graduation she worked as a telephone operator at Fort Robinson, Crawford, NE. It was here that she met Robert Roark. When he was transferred to Tacoma, WA. Erneta went there and they were married on October 21, 1944. Erneta moved back to Hay Springs while Bob finished his duty. Erneta worked at a doctor's office. When Bob returned to Hay Springs, they bought and operated the Dairy King. During her lifetime she owned several businesses with Bob including, Culligan soft water in Cortez, and Akron Variety Store in Akron, CO. She was active in the Alter Society in Akron, Catholic Daughters in Cortez, VFW in which she held numerous offices, and the Democratic Party of CO. Erneta was the first woman voted on to the City Council of Akron. She liked to crochet, playing cards and bingo.

In addition to her parents, Ernest and Mary Blum, she was proceded in death by her sister Betty Kearns; her brother-n-law, Eugene Kearns; her loving husband, Robert L. Roark; her daughter, Margaret (Roark) Shull; her son-n-law, Dean McCabe; and her granddaughter, Dacia Roark.

Erneta is survived by her sons. Joel (Pat), Patrick (Michelle), David (Denise), Keith (Janet) Roark; daughter, Roberta (Roark) McCabe; grandchildren, Mark (Raelene) McCabe, Michael McCabe (Kim Foster), Dawn (Raymond) Hite, Teresa Shull, Garry Shull, Kendal Roark, Ryan (Aimee) Roark, Crystal (Ryan) Schmidt, Jessica (Randy) Palmer, Donald Tow, Daniel Roark; 12 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10am on Friday, April 13th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cortez, CO. with Father Patrick Valdez C.R. officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Cortez Cemetery in Cortez, CO.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to: Diabetes Association and or the VFW.