Dallas Jean Kula

Dallas Jean Kula, age 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Redlands Community Hospital in Redlands, California. Known to all as Jean, she was born in Fullerton, Nebraska on November 7, 1937, to Julia and Gerald Soulliere and raised in Columbus, Nebraska. After high school, she married David Kula and relocated to Southern California. She lived most of her life and raised her children in San Bernardino, California. Jean worked for electronic companies both in Nebraska and California. Jean’s self-reliant character led her to form a wall- paper hanging business with a neighbor, Rita Mella, who became her life-long friend. This dynamic duo of hard-working, trustworthy and skillful women earned wide respect.

Jean was a precocious reader and always had a book in her hand or on her nightstand. She particularly enjoyed, and succeeded at, crossword puzzles plus a wide variety of word games. At home, she was a gifted cook and baker, often preparing large meals for her extended family and friends, whom she hosted at her comfortable and beautifully decorated home. Jean was talented at cross-stitching, knitting, crochet and sewing. She loved making Christmas stockings as well as pillows and inspirational quotations, which she gave to her children, her grandson, and all family members. Every stitch was filled with love for her family.

Jean believed in giving of herself. She was a committed volunteer at St. Bernardine’s Medical Center Auxiliary in San Bernardino, California for thirty years. She was so well regarded by the Auxiliary that they hired her as Auxiliary Coordinator. To this day, her co-workers remember her beautiful smile, sense of humor and commitment to the hospital. In addition, Jean provided room and board for international students studying in the United States. She baked cookies and cooked her “famous” chili as fundraisers for her children’s parochial schools, St. Anne (K-8) and Aquinas High School. Jean was a dedicated mother to Stephen and Suzette, and grandmother to Suzette’s son Michael. She met life’s challenges with courage and resilience and remained selfless and kind throughout her life.

Surviving family members are daughter Suzette Kula and grandson Michael Kula of San Diego, California, brother Kenneth (Barb) Soulliere of Norfolk, Nebraska, sister Jerilyn (Kenneth) Jordan of Riverside, California, sister Michelle Soulliere of Palm Desert, California, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Stephen Kula, late husbands David Kula and Robert Farnsworth, brother Leo Uzendoski, and parents Julia and Gerald Soulliere.

A graveside service will be held at Mountain View Mortuary and Cemetery in San Bernardino, CA on Monday, February 10th at 11 AM.