Lorraine passed away Thursday, November 12, 2015, in
Phoenix, Arizona. She was born August 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; played bassoon
in the high school marching band; and worked nights in a
cigar factory to help support themselves during the
Depression. At 18 she worked for Southern Bell
Telephone as a night shift supervisor, and after the war,
moved to Los Angeles, California. While working as an
inspector for the Nubart Company, she met her husband,
Frank Zika. They moved to the San Fernando Valley and
raised four children: Carl, Marie, Lorraine, and Frank, Jr.
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 winner baker and 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 would spend their weekends
and reside for the summer. The family was always active
at ISOMATA. Idyllwild became Lorraine's permanent
home in 1985. Lorraine was a busy and active person
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
worked on their farm. In 2006 she move in with her
daughter Marie, near her eldest son Carl and his family, in
Phoenix, Arizona.
Lorraine is survived by her four children and her four
grandchildren, Brett, Brianne, Kaitlin, 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.
Internment will be private and held in Lucerne Valley,
California.
AFTERGLOW
I’d like the memory of me
to be a happy one. I’d like
to leave an afterglow of
smiles when day is done.
I’d like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the
ways, of happy times and
laughing times and bright
and sunny days. I’d like
the tears of those who
grieve to dry before the
sun, of happy memories
that I leave behind when
day is done.
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