Rose Roark

Rose Ann (Ratkovec) Roark, 91, of Columbus, NE passed away July 23, 2026, at Brookestone of David City.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2026, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. Visitation is from 9:30-10:00 a.m. August 1, at the church followed by a CDA rosary at 10:00 a.m. Private family interment is in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

She was born on August 3, 1934, in Appleton NE to Cecilia (Maca) and Edward Pokorny. She contracted polio at the age of 19 and later suffered with post-polio. She was married to Quentin J. Ratkovec on August 12, 1952. To this Union six children were born. She and Quentin later divorced, and she spent most of her years as a single parent. On August 3, 2003, she married Emry Luther Roark.

Rose worked for 40 years as a waitress to provide for her children. She worked at Black Angus, Y-Knot, Carta’s, Husker House, Holiday Inn and over 20 years at the New World Inn.

Rose loved cooking for her family and caring for others. Her grandchildren were a source of joy for her. She enjoyed talking to her children every day on the phone. She was a longtime member of St. Bonaventure Church in Columbus and was an active member of Catholic Daughters.

She is lovingly survived by her children: Rose (Jim) Klein of Lincoln, NE, Edward Ratkovec of Cozad, NE, Mike Ratkovec of Redfield SD, Ben Ratkovec of Columbus, NE, Kathy (Stuart) Hayes of Omaha, NE and Susan (Brad) Pfeifer of Omaha NE, 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, Stepchildren Dianne (Frank) Kamphaus and 3 sons, John Roark and 2 sons.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Luther, her brothers Ladd and Jim Pokorny, and daughter-in-law Trish Ratkovec.