Dorles Fay Kullenberg passed on May 16, 2022, on her 80TH Birthday, both Born and Reborn on the same day. Surrounded by her family in a literal Circle of Love, she went home peacefully while being serenaded with, “I’ll Fly Away”. Dorles is survived by Charles G. Kullenberg, her husband of 61 years, son Steven, daughter Tammy, her two favorite sons-in-law, Rodney and Greg, and was “Nanny” to her granddaughters Amanda, Miranda, Aubrea, and great-granddaughters, Gwendolynn and Zoey.
Dorles was born on May 16, 1942, in Mesa, Arizona, to Alex & Josie Barnes. She was a bossy big sister to her 3 rambunctious brothers, Tom, Jim, and David. Her family settled in northern California, but while visiting family in Texas after her graduation, God had a different path for Dorles. While working as a car-hop at The Stallion Drive-In, a 1953 Mercury Monterey, with black over the red two-toned body, full white walls, red rolled and pleated interior, pulled up with a handsome gentleman inside. Dorles, with her beautiful jet black hair, flirty smile, and firecracker spirit, frolicked up to the car window, took out her notepad, and ask for his order…. and the rest is history!
Dorles was a proud graduate of Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos, CA - Class of 1960 - “Go Wildcats!” She thrived in home economics and had early ambitions of becoming a nurse, but ultimately, her desire to have her own family took precedence. Later on in life, she rekindled her deep passion for caring for others and worked with both children and adults with special needs. She was “Mama” to many!
Many of her favorite memories were made on the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California. Dorles had comical stories of skipping school to enjoy the thrill of riding the wooden roller-coasters, “The Giant Dipper” and “The Wild Mouse”. Anytime Dorles visited her special niece, Sheila, in California, Sheila and her husband Mike, made sure she had the time of her life. They took her to enjoy countless adventures and to revisit her glory days. Some of her favorites were the 17mile Drive in Carmel, clam chowder on the pier, a limo ride, The Diner of Los Gatos, dinner at Stagnaro Brothers, and visiting her Alma Mater! And of course, as soon as Dorles got off the plane in Texas, she delivered gifts to her family; saltwater taffy, pumpkin fudge, and trinkets from the pier for her grandbabies!
Dorles inherited her love of adventure from her mother, Josie, who set a great example of living life to the fullest! Dorles enjoyed traveling, meeting new people, and absolutely loved cooking food from scratch and feeding everyone! We will forever cherish her famous potato salad, buttermilk pie, and sacred bbq sauce recipe from her parent’s restaurant! Coincidence that she passed on National BBQ Day? We think NOT! Acts of Service was her love language, and she spoke it clearly!
Her world centered around God, Family, and Friends. She was happiest when together with those she loved. When she couldn’t be together in person, she was faithfully connected via phone, texting, and Facebook. Phone calls from loved ones meant the world to her! She embraced her husband’s family like her own and instilled the importance of bringing everyone together. She even helped organize the Kullenberg Family Reunions. She built a special relationship with her mother-in-law, Ethel Kullenberg. They had their own adventures to laugh about. Like, when Dorles decided to secretly teach her to drive, Ethel mistook the gas for the brakes. This took them on a ride to remember thru an intersection…(safely), but that was “their little secret!”
Dorles nurtured relationships with her aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, and many more that she fondly adopted into her tribe! These people made up the entirety of her world! She LOVED her brothers and held her relationship with her last surviving brother, Tom, especially close. She enjoyed countless hours of frivolity with him and his amazing wife, Ruth, while laughing, reflecting, and playing games like bocce ball and Sequence.
Dorles loved her church and eagerly awaited the blessings God had for her at the annual Women’s Radiant Conference at Celebration Church. She was passionate about speaker Christine Caine’s A21 Campaign and especially loved hearing Pastor Daniel preach and lead Sunday morning worship.
Dorles lived a simple, honest, and humble life, but her Love ran Deep! We were all blessed and honored to be a part of her journey.
The absolute bravery and peace she exhibited throughout her life and when taking her very last breath, will Forever be Etched in our memory of her. She truly believed that God was always with her and frequently stated,
“I’m not afraid, I know God will take care of me!”
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