Julia Kotrba-Dodds, age 96, of Wayland, died Monday, Dec. 17, at Kindred Hospice.

Julie, as she was referred to by family and friends, enjoyed a hardworking and joyful life. First, hand in hand as the wife of a farmer, doing whatever had to be done.  Sometime after the farm was sold, she was introduced to the world of real estate and it became her passion. She made life-long friends during those years and could still negotiate a buy or lease agreement well into her 80s. er mind for business was sharp and she never hesitated to share her motto, “I never spent $2 when I only had $1.”

She loved to play cards and was extremely competitive. She was an active member of Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, where her and Alvin were married in 1940.

She is survived by daughters, Linda (Jerry) Schwartz of Gun Lake and Sandra (Bill) Holbrook of Florida; grandchildren, Julie Jager, Karen (Mike Dillon) Neeb, Jeff (Rebecca) Schwartz, Bill (Wanda deceased-2015) Holbrook, Amanda (Eric) Marlin; great-grandchildren, Conor and Aaron Jager, Allison and Brianna Neeb, Noah, Joseph, Lexie Sheppard and Devon Schwartz; sisters, Anne Doublestein and Eleanor (Hank) Banas; sisters-in-law, Agnes Chlebana and Elizabeth Chlebana and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Alvin Kotrba in 1992 and Roscoe “Rocky” Dodds in 2012; brothers, Chuck, Joe, Alex, Mike, and Andy Chlebana; sister, Amelia “Milly” (Chlebana) Peck; and infant daughter, Janet in 1941.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 159 131st Ave., with an hour of visitation prior. Father Alphonse Savarimuthu will be presiding. The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home-Wayland, 312 N. Main St., with Rosary at 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Green Acres of Wayland or Kindred Hospice would be appreciated.