Mildred ("Mickey") Anna (Lindtner Levenske) Bark, 100 years old, of Traverse City, Michigan, died on Monday, June 12, 2023.
Mickey was born on July 20, 1922 in Maple City, Michigan to Henry and Rose (Flaska) Lindtner. Growing up on her family farm, Mickey learned at a young age to be a hard-working and resourceful person. This came to be greatly needed when her husband, Edward Levenske, died tragically in a car accident, leaving Mickey widowed at age 26 with two young daughters, Patricia and Darlene, ages six and four years old. Two years later, Mickey was blessed to meet and marry the love of her life, Ervin ("Bud"} Bark. Together, Mickey and Bud raised their two daughters with complete love and devotion.
Mickey was deeply devoted to her family and extended relatives. She generously sacrificed for friends and family alike. She was an incredible cook and gardener, well-known for her consistently delicious meals, pies, baked goods, canned fruits and vegetables, and especially her baked beans. She was also well-known for her picture perfect flower and vegetable gardens.
Most of all, Mickey was a devoted and faithful Christian, and an active member of the Catholic Church.
Mickey proudly maintained her home, and continued cooking, cleaning and baking daily, until she and Bud moved to French Manor South Assisted Living at the ages of 96 and 97, respectively.
Mickey is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Joseph) Garrish; her grandchildren, Barbara Olk, James (Koren) Garrish, and Amy (Shawn) Ludolph; six great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews who Mickey adored. Mickey is also survived by her dear and special friends, James and Pat Hanes, and Ruthanne Liebziet, who were more like family to her.
Mickey was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; daughter, Darlene; and her sisters, Marie (Thomas) Kulanda and Dorothy (Peter) Mikowski.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at French Manor South and Hospice of Michigan for the loving and thoughtful care they provided to Mickey in her final years.
A memorial service will be held on what would have been Mickey's 101st birthday, July 20, 2023, at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Traverse City, Michigan, at 11am