Lonita’s family will bring her back to Belle Fourche this summer to be buried beside her husband, Hank in a private family ceremony. There will be a celebration with family and friends following her burial.
Memorials may be sent to the Belle Silver Living Senior Center in Belle Fourche, SD (828 Kingsbury Street, Belle Fourche, SD. 57717).
Lonita died peacefully on Palm Sunday morning. She is loved and will be missed greatly by her family, friends and so many others whose lives she touched.
Lonita was born in Inwood, IA, to Erwin and Rosa (Polly) Finck. Lonita attended Augustana and Sioux Valley School of Nursing for her degree in nursing (RN). She became a member of the US Cadet Nursing Corps upon graduation, and then moved to work at Belle Fourche Memorial Hospital for almost her whole career. She was a dedicated leader and received many accolades throughout her career including “Nurse of the Year.” A Lonita Zorn Day was declared when she retired.
In addition to nursing, Lonita might be remembered most for her infectious laugh, caring heart, baking and love of flowers and gardening. She was always delivering goodies to neighbors and whoever stopped at the house. Her daughters could tell you there was never a shortage of their friends and hers at the house.
Lonita was an active member of the Belle Fourche Community for over 50 years. She was a member of many organizations, and was active involvement in bowling, golf leagues, and sharing of her talents and hobbies that included sewing, quilting, and knitting.
She belonged to St. James Lutheran Church in Belle Fourche, until she made the decision to move to Omaha, NE to be closer to family. She quickly became an active member of the church where she lived at Immanuel Courtyard, and of course ensured that cookies or other refreshments were served after each service.
There is nothing Lonita would not do for family, and she had a special way of making each family member feel special and loved. She instilled traditions and the motto “family first,” which she lived.
Survived by: Daughters: Karla Lewis, Denver, CO, Becky Zorn, Omaha, NE, Peggy (Jeff) Triggs, Wayne, NE; grandchildren: April Charmaine, Denver, CO, Kyle Triggs (Alison Herring), Thorton, CO, Owen (Jen) Rickner, LIncoln, NE, Jake (Bayli) Triggs, Omaha, NE; great – grandchildren: Zavian DeSoto, Brooklyn,New York, Benjamin Rickner, Lincoln, NE, Sawyer Triggs, Omaha, NE, and Parker Triggs, Omaha, NE.
She was married to Henry (Hank) Zorn in Rock Rapids, IA, in 1950. She was preceded in death by her husband, and siblings: Bob, Anne, Ronnie, and Stan.
