Barbara K Roark, age 77, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2026, at Highline Place, Littleton, CO. She was born April 29, 1949, in Brookings, SD, to Alvin and Gretchen (Wismer) Nelson. Barbara was a 1967 graduate of Brookings High School. She then attended South Dakota State University at Brookings for two years before transferring to Colorado State University where she completed her bachelors degree in Mathematics.

Barbara was incredibly intelligent with math skills that came automatically. After graduation she returned to South Dakota where those skills easily translated to computer programming before computing as we know it today even existed. At the forefront of that fledgling industry she wrote code and created punch cards to be fed into the first generation of machines. She became skilled in IBM system 3 and 34 computers and helped many companies enter the computer age by creating their payroll and payment systems, and other electronic records keeping. She was a standout, well paid, young woman at a time when women had not yet been afforded much opportunity to spread their wings in the working world. She was forever a strong women’s rights advocate. She grew up with access to a small lake where waterskiing became a loved pastime. With her sister and other lake friends they built pyramids on waterskis, learned to trick ski and ride on the water with all sorts of contrived things like a chair on a wooden saucer. She was the energizer bunny before that bunny made its debut. She was always active with things like spelunking, rappelling, and playing tennis.

She met Bradford Roark in Rapid City, SD where they were married on October 21, 1978. They were a team from the beginning, racing catamaran sailboats, skiing, bicycling, hiking and being active at most any outdoor endeavor. Following the sale of their ski shop, Barbara and Brad moved to Spokane, WA where son, Nathan, was born. Moving back to South Dakota a year later their daughter, Christine, was born. Barbara loved being a mother and going to her children’s band, orchestra, and vocal concerts and attending the various athletic events they participated in. She raised two wonderful, talented, and independent children of whom she was incredibly proud. A move to Iowa became the major springboard for her relentless volunteering and helping those who were in need or had less than their fair share. Barbara led by example with volunteering at her children’s elementary school and then at the local food pantry for more than 30 years. When someone was in need she automatically jumped in to help. It also led to her stepping into the paraeducation arena where she helped many students through learning challenges. That included her learning and developing proficient Braille expertise so she could teach numerous students to move forward in life with that new skill.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Gretchen. She is survived by her husband, Brad, her son, Nate, her daughter, Chrissy, her three grandchildren, and her sister, Linda, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Being the kind, compassionate person she was, Barbara asks that in lieu of flowers, please smile at a stranger or volunteer and help others who are in need. Barbara changed the lives of those that she touched and her loving spirit will raise us up. Brighten someone’s day whenever you can; the world needs so much more love.

Barbara’s family will be holding a Celebration of Life at a future date and location yet to be determined.