Zita Arcadia Kaiser

Zita Arcadia Lauerman Kaiser was a Registered Nurse, Army Lieutenant, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and beloved friend. She was born in Red Lodge, Montana on March 5th, 1920 to Albert and Catherine Lauerman. She spent her early years in Red Lodge and at the age of two moved to California with her family. By the age of six, the family had moved to San Francisco, where she attended the Notre Dame Academy for Girls and St. Annes School. After the death of her father, in 1931, their family moved back to Red Lodge to be closer to their extended family. She later graduated from high school at St. Marys Academy, in Kansas and then moved back to Montana to attend St. Vincents Hospital, in Billings, for her Nursing Degree, where her mother, Catherine, had worked before. As a young adult, Zita enlisted in the Army as a Nurse and was stationed at the base in Fort Lewis, Washington, where she would meet the love of her life and future husband, Bernard. They married at St. Annes Church, in Seattle, on August 7th, 1942 and had quite a life ahead of them. Home-life was busy, as Bernard and Zita raised seven wonde children, who blessed them later in life with grandchildren and great grandchildren that they joyously welcomed into their family. Keeping her nursing license current, Zita worked the evening shift at Arden Nursing Home as nurse manager in the 1960s and 1970s. She was a strong woman and great nurse. Working together, Bernard and Zita were able to build a waterfront beach cabin on Whidbey Island, and this was a dream come true for them and their family. Her artistic nature shined in her love of gardens, painting, music, singing, sewing, and knitting. A Mrs. Fixit, with her own set of tools, she was able to repair almost anything. Her adventurous spirit took her on camping trips with her kids, to Hawaii and Mexico, and pilgrimages to many of the shrines in Europe, where the Blessed Mother has appeared. St. Lukes Parish and School has been at the center of her life for more than 60 years, where she was a dedicated, generous, and inspirational member. Her love of people and making friends was at the heart of her life, and she was a vivacious cornerstone of her community. Generous with her time, she always sought out ways to help those in need. Helping her daughter, Jean and other special needs children was one of her joys. It was her kindness and quirky sense of humor that we all know and will remember that drew people close to her. Zita passed away peacefully, August 20th, 2015, in her family home of 69 years. Zita was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard, and her brother, Albert Lauerman. She is survived by her brother, Chuck Lauerman, and her children: Doug, Barbara, Jody, Jean, Patty, Zita, and Janice, and her ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.