Valeria Roll Roach, 90 passed away peacefully at home on July 31, 2026, with family by her side. She was so beloved and will be greatly missed.

Val was born on February 19, 1936, in Burt, North Dakota, to Eleanora and Lawrence Roll. She was one of five children who grew up on the family farm, later teaching in a rural one-room school. She met Fredrick Roach when he visited the family farm with his Army buddy, Val’s brother Gene. Val and Fred were married on November 17, 1956, and moved to Portage, Indiana, where they settled in for 68 years of marriage, raising four daughters and one son.

Val led a busy life as a mother and community volunteer when her children were in school, working as an aid, PTA treasurer, and treasurer for the music program. She also provided childcare in her home and taught preschool for 16 years, starting at age 58. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, friends and attending church services and events that fostered her strong faith in the Catholic church. She also remained a community volunteer until she passed, serving as president and treasurer of the Portage Community Historical Society.

The world will miss Val’s bright light. She was kind and generous, wise and welcoming, and cared for all of her fellow humans.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, Fred Roach; her parents; two brothers and one sister.

She is survived by her five children, Beth (Jim) Franzen, Julie (George) Fonseca, Lisa (Dan) Knoll, Danial (Julie Eisele) Roach, and Amy (Ed Cosgrove) Roach; 10 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and her brother, George. She is also survived by many extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Val’s name may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Nativity of Our Savior Church.

Visitation for Val will be held Friday, August 7, 2026, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave. Portage. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:00 am directly at Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church, 2949 Willowcreek Road, Portage. She will be laid to rest at McCool Cemetery. For more information, please call (219) 762-3013. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”   -Henry Van Dyke