Jean Roark

1931 - 2025

Jean Roark

November 5, 1931 - May 3, 2025

Jean Roark, age 93, died on May 3, 2025. She was born on November 5, 1931 in Madison. She attended Emerson School, graduated from Madison East High in 1949 and the University of Wisconsin in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Jean deeply appreciated the fine education she received at these schools.

Jean was employed by the University of Wisconsin Library from 1971 to 1975. Beginning in 1975, Jean was an academic staff member in the Dean's Office for Undergraduate Education in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the U.W. She retired in 1995 after 20 years and was granted Emerita Status.

Jean had a deep concern for the native land and supported many environmental groups. She spent many hours at the family's tree farm in the Driftless Area in Richland County where she planted thousands of native trees and prairie species along with her husband Gene and son Michael. She enjoyed walking the many trails in the woods, the prairie and up on the high rock bluffs. Jean and the family had many pleasant picnics on the deck of their cabin.

When Jean and Gene's sons David and Michael were young, the family took many camping trips to state and national parks and other places of interest. Camping was always on a simple basis - tenting and cooking with a wood or charcoal fire. They canoed the Wisconsin River, the Kickapoo and the Baraboo. Jean and Gene also took many field trips in Wisconsin, primarily with groups involved with the natural landscape and history and culture. They also travelled to Mexico, Brazil, Canada and several European and North African countries.

In later years on Sunday afternoons, Jean and Michael explored many back roads in southern Wisconsin. Their days ended with dinner at a nice restaurant.

Jean also enjoyed birdwatching, gardening, walking, traveling, reading, sewing, knitting and painting. She especially appreciated visits from family in England, Michigan, California and other areas.

For many years Jean volunteered at the Greeter Desk at Olbrich Gardens. She accumulated over 4,000 hours, volunteering on Friday afternoons.

Jean is survived by her son Michael Roark and son David Roark and his wife Sally and their children Romi and Taylor. Jean is also survived by grandson John Roark and his wife Priscilla Alvarez and their children llan and Emilia Jean. She is also survived by grandson Michael Andrew Roark and his wife Anabel Lee Roark and their children Frances and Eugene.

Jean is survived by her sister Constance Perra. Jean also leaves behind her sister-in-law and good friend Nancy Roark.

In addition, Jean is survived by niece Nancy Elkin and her husband Harry Elkan, niece Laura and her husband Fraser Mackay, nephew Jeffrey Hastings, niece Carol McGowan and her husband Patrick McGowan and their daughters Jenna, Carly and Aleah.

Jean was predeceased by Gene, her husband of 62 years, her sister Margaret Hastings, her brother James Oliverson, nephew Thomas Oliverson, sister-in-law Barbara Oliverson, brothers-in-law William Roark, James Hastings and Fred Perra, her parents Ingvald and Selma Oliverson, and parents-in-law Prof. Raymond and Margaret Roark.

A memorial gathering will be held for Jean at Olbrich Gardens on Tuesday, September 30th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The memorial gathering will take place in the Olbrich Gardens Atrium.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

3330 Atwood Avenue

Madison, WI 53704