Lorretta Louise Kulka

Lorretta Louise Kulka, born on May 20, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan, to Vernon and Barbara Schlum, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025, in Fountain Hill, Arizona, at the home of her niece, Jaki Underwood.

At the age of two, Lorretta moved with her family to Royal Oak, Michigan. She attended St. Mary’s High School in Royal Oak and later pursued her passion for helping others by training at Mercy School of Nursing.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Lorretta worked as a long-distance and switchboard operator for Michigan Bell Telephone Company. To supplement her income, she also worked at Lake Golf Course as counter help—a role she cherished due to her love of golf. She often expressed gratitude to John and Shirley Schlitt for that opportunity.

In 1956, Lorretta married Bernard Szewc. Together they had three children: Louis Szewc, who tragically passed away shortly after birth; Barbara Jean; and Raymond Louis. Bernard passed away in 1969 in Madison Heights, Michigan.

In 1973, Lorretta married David Kulka, and they settled in Shelby Township, Michigan. She worked for the IRS for 10 years, and eventually started her, very successful, tax service company.

She is survived by her sister Donna (Schlum) Auger, daughter, Barbara (Szewc) Gillespie, Son, Raymond Szewc, step-son, Chris Kulka, step-daughter, Carla (Kulka) Behrens, and step-daughter, Rhonda (Kulka) Chaplin.

Lorretta and David Kulka will be brought back to Michigan and buried in the family plot in June 2025. (TBD)