Ophal “ Ginger” Sarka, age 96, of Cumming, Georgia passed away on Sunday February 10, 2019. Ginger was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 14, 1923. Her childhood was spent there and at the family farm in Patricksburg, Indiana.
All of her life she was involved in business, marketing, modeling, sales, promotional work, theatre productions, and fundraising.
Many women took jobs during World War II to help with the war effort. Ginger was no exception and worked at the Curtis Wright Airplane Factory as a floor superintendent.
After that she directed many different types of fund raising projects for various men and women’s clubs throughout the U.S..
Some events included producing and directing 98 musical comedy shows, parades and fashion shows that involved many of the town merchants. She supervised selling advertisement in the newspapers, on TV and radio shows. She retired from that and went to Hollywood, California, where she took modeling lessons and was an assistant director for the movie "Of Thee I Sing". The backers fell through so the movie was delayed for several years.
During 1950’s she organized a state wide function for the Girl Scout’s in Connecticut. She promoted and booked her husband Joseph Alexander Sarka in his singing career. He was a lead tenor singing various operas at the Chicago Opera House and at other venues. She gave birth to a son and devoted her love and life to him.
The city of South Bend, Indiana officials and business leaders gathered in 1963 to promote unity and community in what was called "The Partners in Progress" week long event . She was asked to produce and chair many of the events. This included her staging a parade and a star-studded show at Notre Dame Stadium. Red Skelton was her headliner.
During the 1960’s she was a judge for the Miss America contest, Junior Miss Contest, and Mrs. America for the states of Indiana and Michigan.
She also owned several business: The Sarka Employment Agency for men and women, the South Bend Modeling Agency, The Patricia Stevens Career College and Finishing School for girls, and a Boutique shop. She was active in the Chamber of commerce in South Bend, Indiana. She was also on the Board at St. Joseph Hospital. Her charitable promotion work resulted in a Street being named after her in Niles, Michigan.
She organize and promoted many golf tournaments including one for the Ladies Professional Golfing association.
Ginger and her husband Joe moved to Georgia in the early 1990’s where she continued her charitable promotions. She was the Chairwoman for the Olympic Force signature events for her local community. She conducted fundraisers which included food and toy drives, for the Georgia Ensemble Theatre and North Fulton Child Development Center. She also was a volunteer for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
Ophal "Ginger" Sarka touched and helped so many lives during her lifetime. Helping people is the best legacy anyone can have.
Ophal is preceeded in death by her mother and father Mr. Delphus and Ethel Hert. She is also preceeded by her brothers; Herbert Hert and Dello Hert II and one sister Lois Hert.
Ophal “Ginger” Sarka leaves to cherish her memories. Her beloved son J. Christopher Sarka and his wife Linda Bragan Sarka. Her grandson Frank Bragan and two Great Grandchildren Skye Bragan and Alex Bragan.
In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made in Ophal “Ginger” Sarka’s name to Dementia Society of America . https://www.dementiasociety.org/
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5