Rosabelle F. Jehlik

Rosabelle F. (Zarker) Jehlik, 79, Topeka died on April 16, 2004 at the Midland Hospice House after suffering a stroke on April 5, 2004. She was born February 3, 1925 in Britton, Oklahoma, the daughter fo Louie and Susie Willetta Schies. She moved to the Carthage, Missouri area at the age of eight and graduted from high school and business school there. Later, while working at an air base in Oklahoma City, she flew solo twice in pursuit of her pilot's license in anticipation of joining the Womens' Airforce Service Pilots to ferry military planes during World War II. She met Charles Zarker of Topeka in Oklahoma before transferring to a secretarial position in the Pentagon in Washington, DC. She and Charles were married in Washington,D.C. in 1944 and later settled in Topeka after the war where they raised four children who survive her - Sherry and her husband Bob Jaymes of Osage Beach, Missouri; Gary Zarker and his wife Janet Primomo of Seattle, Washington; Terry Zakrer and her husband Steve Groves of Edmonds, Washington; and Larry Zarker and his wife Susan Braden of Takoma Park, Maryland. Rosabelle is survived by her sister, Ina Faye Orton of San Diego, California, twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is survived also by her stepson Ken Jehlik and his wife Carolee and by Stephanie Jehlik, wife of stepson Bob Jehlik, now deceased. Charles passed away in 1978. Rosabelle worked as a secretary for many years in the Kansas State Senate and later was a school secretary at various Topeka elementary schools until her retirement. She then learned how to downhill ski, toured ancient Greece and met her second love, Duane Jehlik of Topeka, whom she married on May 29, 1982. Duane and Rosabelle had some of the happiest days of their lives traveling the length and breadth of North America together. He survives her. Services will be held at the First Congregational Church, 17th and Collins Avenue at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Jehlik will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Monday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to Midland Hospice Care, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, Ks. 66606 or to First Congregational Church, 1701 S.W. Collins Ave., Topeka, Ks. 66604.