Carl Bernard O’Roake, 84, of Litchfield, died peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at home with his wife.
The family will have a private service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Mr. O’Roake was born on July 22, 1941, in Newton, IA, the son of Cecil B. and Margaret Mozelle Morrison O’Roake. He grew up in Newton, attending local schools and graduating from Newton High School with the class of 1959.
Mr. O’Roake began his career working for his family’s plumbing business in Newton. He quickly became a master plumber at the young age of 21. In 1965, Mr. O’Roake began his career as an industrial engineer for Maytag in Newton, IA. In 1975, he became a plant manager. This position took him from Hastings, NE, to Litchfield, where he worked for True Weld Grading until he retired in 2008.
On Oct. 8, 1960, Mr. O’Roake and Ann Breckenridge were united in marriage in Missouri. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage. They had two children, Christopher O’Roake, who preceded him in death at age 56; and daughter, Carla (Frank) Snyder, who survives.
Long-time residents of Litchfield and faithful members of the St. Timothy United Methodist Church, the couple loved serving people and their Lord. They helped open a soup kitchen, and Mr. O’Roake chaired various committees within the United Methodist Church until 2025. He loved his church, family and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Mr. O’Roake is survived by his wife, Ann; daughter, Carla (Frank) Snyder; grandchildren, Stephanie O’Roake, Cory (Charlene) O’Roake, Jean (Zack) Vaughn, Blake Snyder and Brittni (Cameron) Borri; great-grandchildren, Julia, Conlin and Cambren O’Roake, Carlton, Chrystopher and Clayton Vaughn and Elodie Borri.
Any memorial donations should be directed to St. Timothy United Methodist Church Soup Kitchen in Litchfield. Please share a memory of Mr. O’Roake, a picture, or leave the family a condolence by visiting www.donnellwiegand.com.
