zika

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.

Similar Posts

  • Obituary: Leona McGaugh

    Leona McGaugh maintained a way of life more familiar to last century. She didn’t own and never used a computer. She still made her calls on a rotary telephone. She cooked meals on a wood-burning stove. But none of these facts prove she was unconnected. Owner and operator of the 130-acre Baldy Mountain Ranch near…

  • Obituary: Geri Sperling

      Geri Sperling was taken home to be with her Lord on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015. Geri will be truly missed by her devoted family and loving friends. Geri was a proud veteran, serving the United States Army as a staff sergeant during World War II. She went on to graduate from UCLA, and enjoyed…

  • Obituary: Nancy Jane Monroe

    Nancy Jane Monroe of Idyllwild and Hemet died Monday, May 6, 2013 of natural causes. She was born to Ernie and Mildred Gorman of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, on October 10, 1931. Nancy was 81 years old. During her lifetime, Nancy worked as a registered nurse. She lived in Canada from her birth until 1954,…

  • Obituary: Robert D. Murphy, M.D.

    Robert D. Murphy, 77, of the desert area and Idyllwild, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Dr. Murphy was born Jan. 9, 1923, in South Bend, Ind., to George and Mabel Murphy. He was a board-certified anesthesiologist at Eisenhower Medical Center from 1974 to 1989. Prior to that he…

  • Life Tribute: Norma Gooding 1925 – 2020

    Our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Norma Gooding left us peacefully on Friday, June 19. Norma was born to Bob and Rosa (Cardin) Wingfield on Sept. 19, 1925 in Cushing, Oklahoma. She was the youngest of five daughters.  During World War II while she was in high school, Norma’s sweetheart, Kenneth Gooding, came home on his…