Lorraine Berg

Lorraine Berg passed away at her home in Palm Desert, Calif. on July 9, 2009 after a brave battle with lung cancer which had metastasized to the brain. A gifted pianist and faithful volunteer, Lorraine is known for her music and for her giving heart. She and her husband, Hans, moved to Palm Desert from Friendly Valley, Newhall, Calif. in 1992. They immediately became active members of Hope Lutheran Church where she served as associate organist and as pianist for most of the church activities until shortly before her death. She also served as a substitute organist at many churches and played piano for fifteen years for a program presented by Hope Lutheran at Monterey Palms where she began a program of bringing old show tunes and popular songs of the past to the seniors there. Lorraine played at many social events and at any gathering she could be counted upon for bringing a sense of camaraderie around the piano. Previously, Lorraine had served at St. Stephen's and Bethlehem Lutheran Churches in Granada Hills, at Community Methodist Church in Newhall, and at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Canyon Country. For 25 years, she accompanied adult and children's choirs directed by her husband, Hans. Her volunteer work included playing piano for local Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs and serving as a docent at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. In Palm Desert she was a favorite tour guide and usher at the McCallum Theatre. Lorraine was born in Minneapolis, Minn. in 1921 to Walter and Gertrude Gwiazdon and graduated summa cum laude there from Edison High School. She studied piano at McPhail Center for Music and organ under Miss Hutchinson at Central Lutheran Church. During World War II, she worked as a volunteer for the USO and the American Red Cross. In 1945 she moved to Los Angeles where she was employed at Bank of America and then as personnel manager at Valley Federal Savings and Loan in Van Nuys, Calif. where she remained until she retired. She is survived by her husband, Hans Berg; her daughter, Jan and son-in-law, Kreg Douvros and their four children, Brett, Alana, Kyle and Blake; her step-daughter, Kathy Gulbranson and her children Kirsten and Jay Lucas, Erik and Ashley Gulbranson, Ingrid and Steve Windsor; and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Rosemary Gray; and nephew, Tim Gray. A Memorial Service will be held in her honor at Hope Lutheran Church, Palm Desert at 1:00 PM on Sat., July 18, 2009. Interment is at Forest Lawn, Cathedral City.