Jenna Marie Roark
MADISON – Jenna Marie Roark, age 22, beloved and beautiful daughter and sister, died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 28, 2012.
Jenna was born on September 29, 1989 in Madison to David and Lynne Roark. She attended Queen of Peace Elementary School, which was highlighted by the camaraderie of her soccer, basketball, and volleyball teammates. This continued into Edgewood High School with her love of being on the Varsity Tennis Team and the friendships that grew during this time. She eventually found her passion at University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire majoring in Biology with the intention of pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine.
Her love for animals was evident all through childhood helping her mom with their menagerie of pets. She especially loved all her kitties and even brought their dog, Fred, up to Eau Claire for sleepovers. Last summer she was an intern at Spring Harbor Veterinary Clinic, and in January spent two weeks in Guatemala working with local veterinarians caring for animals, which made her even more passionate about becoming a veterinarian. Most recently she had begun a new job at Ruffin It Resort, a doggie day care in Madison.
An a vid sports fan and athlete, one of Jenna’s greatest joys was attending Packer games with her dad. Watching college basketball during March Madness and reminiscing about the year they attended the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas was also a family ritual. Jenna’s job was to check her dad’s bracket to make sure he didn’t change it during the tournament.
Her sister Amanda was one of her best friends. The ease and humor of their relationship was a constant source of entertainment for her parents and friends. Being together was always the best part of their many family vacations over the years. They loved each other very much.
Jenna will always be remembered as a lover of pigs, a hater of spiders, a champion of mini golf with her family, and the future fiancée of Aaron Rodgers and/or Peeta Mellark. Her beautiful blue eyes, engaging smile and enthusiasm for life will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her parents, David and Lynne Roark, sister Amanda, maternal grandmother MaryEllen Bowers, aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Willard Bowers and paternal grandparents Burnace and Marcella Roark.
Our lives will never be the same. We will never forget her love and presence that made us feel happy. We will always love her and always be a family of four.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison, at 11:00AM on Thursday, May 3, 2012, with Monsignor Kenneth T. Fiedler presiding. Visitation will be held at JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Rd., Madison, from 4:00PM until 8:00PM on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dane County Humane Society www.giveshelter.org/make-a-donation.html in Jenna’s memory or to the Roark Family for a memorial planned in her honor.
The family wishes to thank everyone for their support, prayers and love during this time.
