Dolores “Dolly” Fee Kraus, a “sprinkled doughnut in a world full of glazed”, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2020. Dolly lived in Huntsville, Alabama, and formerly in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 67 years, John “Jack” Kraus. She is survived by her daughters: Patricia Putnak, Kathy Straub (James) and Kimberly Kotheimer (David); six grandchildren: James Putnak, Kimberly Straub, Michael Straub (Lindsey), Jamie Straub, Patrick Straub, and John Kotheimer, as well as one great-granddaughter, Sloane Straub. “Aunt Doll” will be fondly remembered by her many nephews and nieces, and she will be dearly missed by her lifelong friend, Lois Laux.
Dolly was born in Pittsburgh on August 11, 1922 and grew up on the North Side. Dolly loved tap dancing and movie stars and covered her walls with magazine photos of Hollywood greats. Despite growing up in the Depression era with her widowed mother and siblings, she talked her way into office jobs and worked herself out of poverty. During WWII, she worked as a supervisor in a parachute factory. Light on her feet, Dolly danced to Big Band music six nights a week and her dance card was always filled. She met her husband, Jack, at a dance and always called him “a great pivoter.” They married and raised three daughters.
Dolly was a people person who never met a stranger. She could and would start a conversation with anyone and have them laughing in minutes. Her deep throaty voice was often recognized before she came into view. She had a wicked sense of humor and loved telling jokes and playing tricks. She once repeatedly cut the power to the television during a crucial Steelers playoff game, leaving an exasperated Jack to investigate, while she ‘innocently’ stood by.
Dolly loved fashion and shopping and once told her daughters to “scatter my ashes at Loehmann’s.” She wore hot pink, orange, or bright aqua from head to toe, loved matching accessories, and even started making her own jewelry in her 80’s. She often brought her earring display cases to luncheons, and soon had a crowd of women around her.
Dolly and Jack loved socializing and entertaining. They were married on Halloween, so their anniversaries were often costumed celebrations. In their 80’s, they once donned costumes and masks and trick-or-treated in their senior citizen neighborhood, demanding candy from their unprepared neighbors. Summer trips to Stone Harbor, New Jersey meant that they would be welcomed into local restaurants with staff and customers singing, “Hello, Dolly.” She loved casinos and especially enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, where she played slot machines and claimed to always win. She and Jack had dinner every Friday night at Tambellini’s restaurant and enjoyed seeing so many friends there at the bar.
Dolly was a wonderful cook and famed for her pies and the world’s best gravy. She loved anything chocolate and for most of her life, breakfast was coffee and a chocolate doughnut. If you walked into the house, she would try and feed you. If you said no, she’d ask, “why not?”
Funeral arrangements are private. A mass and celebration of her life will be held at a future date. Dolly made an impression on everyone she met and everyone has a “Doll story”.
In lieu of flowers, please have a piece of chocolate and tell someone your Doll story.
