Marilyn Burke Zyzda

Marilyn Zyzda died June 3, 2026, surrounded by family. She was 89 years old.

Marilyn Burke Zyzda was born November 24, 1936, in Vermillion, SD, to Francis Leroy Burke and Elizabeth (McIntyre) Burke. She graduated from Heelan Catholic High School in 1954. After high school, Marilyn worked at the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, initially as a long-distance operator and later as a clerk in the engineering department, for 13 years. She also worked for many years at various retail businesses.

On January 20, 1962, Marilyn married Walter Zyzda in Sioux City. Marilyn and Walter built their family home in rural Sioux City, where they spent their adult lives and raised their four children and many pets. They enjoyed many fishing trips and being outdoors.

Marilyn was a citizen scientist, recording bird counts for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and a devout Catholic. She was a member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, as well as St. Joseph Church, St. Francis Church, and Mater Dei Nativity Church.

She found joy in anything related to birds, animals, and being in nature. Marilyn planted flowers and vegetable gardens and spent countless hours with her children. If there was a stray cat (dog, turtle, raccoon, pheasant, opossum, etc.) within the radius of her home, she adopted them, or rather, they adopted her. Lifelong Learning at WIT, especially the Stretch & Flex class, was a constant in her weekly activities. Marilyn was kind-hearted, putting others’ well-being at the forefront. Her friends and family could count on a card from her for any and every occasion. And she would surprise everyone with her quick-witted humor.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Brian Zyzda, Sioux City, IA; Cynthia Zyzda (Joel Allen), Bozeman, MT; Leslie Zyzda-Martin (JP Martin), Sioux City, IA; David Zyzda, Sioux City, IA; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter Zyzda; her brothers, Ron Burke and Jay Burke; her sister, Betty Kane; her brother-in-law, James Zyzda; and her sister-in-law, Gladys Zyzda.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Nativity Church, 4241 Natalia Way. Live stream is available on Mater Dei Parish's YouTube page: https://youtube.com/live/WoHly0AizRs?feature=share. A visitation with a rosary (4:00 pm) and prayer service (6:30 pm) is on Monday, June 8, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at Christie Smith Morningside Chapel, 1801 Morningside Avenue. Family will be present.

On Marilyn’s request, in lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Montana Raptor Conservation Center, PO Box 4061, Bozeman, MT 59772-4061 (https://montanaraptor.org/support/donate/).