Dorothy "Dort" L. Kula, 96, of Anamosa, IA, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, at the Anamosa Care Center.

Dort was born on the Kula Family Farm in Cass Center, Iowa on May 21, 1929, to Thomas Antone Kula and Mabel Ricklefs. She was the oldest of three children.

At 17, Dort began working as a waitress at the Nook. She was proud to say that she once waited on Jack Benny (and Rochester) as they stopped for refreshments while traveling through town. She also waitressed at Woody's and the Quality Cafe before changing career paths to work in motor assembly at Doerr Electric until its closing.

Dort was a long-time member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Anamosa.

Away from her work, Dort enjoyed bowling and attending dances. In later years she could be found at Wapsipinicon Park in the mornings, having coffee and donuts with her friends. She stayed active planning holiday parties with her Wilson Court neighbors. In summers, the gazebo outside was the place to be!  Trips to Dubuque and Decorah to visit family were a treat, especially on Easter Sunday to hide eggs for her nieces and nephew. She enjoyed trips to the Iowa casinos and was lucky to play the slots in Las Vegas.

She is survived by her brother Donald T. (Barbara) Kula, of Dubuque, several nieces and a nephew, several great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces/nephews, special friends Chuck and Mary Barnes, Liz Frickson, and Julie Fall, and by her fur baby, Babe, who was closest to her heart. Dort was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Delores A Knight, a brother-in-law Keith Knight, and her niece, Lori A Smith.

The family would like to thank everyone who made Dort's final days easier, especially those who work in the health care system who took time to know and treat Dort with dignity, kindness, and especially patience.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a humane society or animal shelter of your choice as they can all use extra help. Dort became quite the animal lover after dog sitting Tipper.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 3, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Anamosa. Rev. Rodney Bluml will officiate. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. to the time of service at the church. Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa is in charge of the arrangements. Please use the Guestbook to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences.