Lorraine passed away Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, in Phoenix, Arizona.
She was born Aug. 7, 1923, in Jamestown, North Dakota, to Florence and Thomas Burdick. When she was a child, she moved with her mother to Jacksonville, Florida, where she was raised. Lorraine was an honor student in school.
At 18, she worked for Southern Bell Telephone as a night-shift supervisor, and after the war, moved to Los Angeles, California, where she met her husband, Frank Zika.
Lorraine’s generosity and good humor brought smiles and comfort to all. She loved to do volunteer work. Lorraine was an active volunteer for the Boy’s Club of the West and many years for the Saint Joseph’s Hospital Guild in Burbank.
She was an award-winning baker and an equally talented oil painter. In her later years, she continued her education, working toward a degree in early childhood development.
In 1955, the family built a vacation home in Idyllwild on West Ridge Road where they spent their weekends and resided for the summer. The family was always active at ISOMATA. Idyllwild became Lorraine’s permanent home in 1985.
Lorraine was a busy and active peson who loved children. In 1986, she started as a volunteer at Idyllwild Elementary School and the next year became a classroom instructional aide for Sharon Schmidt’s first-grade class where she received the Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Commitment to the children of Idyllwild School.
Lorraine also traveled to Lucerne Valley where she spent many days taking care of her mother and working on their farm.
In 2006, she moved in with her daughter, Marie, near her eldest son, Carl, and his family, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Lorraine is survived by her four children, Carl, Marie, Lorraine and Frank Jr.; and her four grandchildren, Brett, Brianne, Katilin and Wesley.
Lorraine’s favorite saying was, “Love one another.” All who knew her will remember her generosity and warm heart. She was a devoted mother and daughter. We love her so much.
