1932 – 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Amalia Kulas. Amalia was born in Žbandaj, Croatia on October 11, 1932. She died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, on October 24, 2024 in Claresholm, Alberta at the age of 92.
Amalia was pre-deceased by her husband Joseph in 2011 and is survived by her three children Cindee (David), Martin, Sonia; her grandchildren Brady (Emily), Lauren (Jackson), Alex, and Kourtney. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Leighton, Declan, Sienna; and her family in Croatia, including brother Mario (Nina), nieces Antica (Pero), Sonja, Nadia, Esmina (Irfan), nephews Elvis (Donatella) and Egidio, and families.
Amalia lived an interesting life. She was a young child during WWII and endured many stresses, including losing her father at the age of 15. In 1959, with the goal of joining her future husband who had already escaped communist Croatia for Canada, she made a plan to escape into Italy. In the months preceding her escape, she had been sending her personal belongings with her aunt who would visit from Italy, while other family who lived close to the border tracked the border guards’ routines. She crossed the border in the middle of the night, but missed her arranged transportation on the other side to her aunt’s. Luckily, an Italian man drove by on a Vespa and offered her a ride. He ended up being her aunt’s neighbour. Later, she migrated through Italy to France, where she worked as a sous-chef in Nice while she waited for her immigration papers to Canada. She arrived in Calgary in 1960 and was married within a few days of her arrival.
She and Joe later moved to Lethbridge, where he started his own painting company and they started their family. In 1967, Joe and Amalia built the first car wash in Claresholm. Later they built a gas station beside the car wash and once their kids were old enough to pump gas, they bought the motel across the highway so they could supervise from the dining room window and phone over to the gas station to offer tips on work ethic and behaviour.
Amalia was a very positive person and always believed things would work out. She never seemed to be worried or scared, even at times when she should have been. She was an exceptional mother and grandmother, caring and compassionate and always there to lend a hand. She was the guiding force in her family, raising her children with her values and by her example. It was amazing to watch her operate as she worked tirelessly, without complaint, her entire life. She worked at the gas station, and later managed and cleaned the motel, all the while cooking meals from scratch and tending multiple vegetable gardens. She loved to cook and treat family and friends to her signature dishes with favourites being her homemade chicken and vegetable soup, gnocchi and meat sauce, spaghetti, her cabbage rolls, lasagne, and stuffed peppers. She also loved to bake and made the best crusty bread, apple pie, Croatian kifli and Easter bread which she formed into dolls for her grandchildren.
Amalia loved and cared about people. She loved visits and coffee times with special friends and she remembered everything people told her about themselves. She never forgot a name and always made a point of checking in with friends and family.
In her last years, she taught us a lesson on the power of positivity and demonstrated great resilience and determination as she lost her legs one by one, moved on from the loss and learned how to walk on two prosthetic legs so she could remain at home. She also learned how to use an iPad and enjoyed communicating with friends and family on Facebook. She loved looking at recipes on Facebook and was always jotting one down.
We are going to miss Amalia so much. There is a huge hole in the fabric of our lives.
The family would like to thank Dr. Bahn Al-Yousif, and all the doctors and medical staff at the Claresholm General Hospital for their expertise and compassion. We would also like to thank those who helped us care for Amalia at home. You have all been with us on this journey.
At Amalia’s request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Claresholm & District Health Foundation (Palliative Care).
Arrangements entrusted to Zentner Funeral Homes.