Arlene F. Bialek

Arlene Florence (Binda) Bialek passed away peacefully at the home on January 24, 2023, after a courageous 18-month battle with brain cancer. Arlene was 74 years old and will best be remembered for her million dollar smile, her never-ending energy and desire to always be doing things for others. Above all, she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and devoted her life to making sure those closest to her were happy.

Born on August 9, 1948 in Jersey City, New Jersey, Arlene was the daughter and second child of Bob and Eleanor Binda. After spending her childhood in New Jersey, Arlene’s family moved to the Kansas City area via a company transfer of her dad Bob. She attended and was a graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School in 1966.

Arlene started her college career at the University of Kansas. After her first year at KU, Arlene’s dad Bob asked how she was progressing with her preparations for a dental hygiene career. Arlene replied that KU didn’t have a dental hygiene curriculum, but she really enjoyed the social life there. Her dad informed her she would be transferring to another school for her sophomore year, one that had a dental hygiene program. Arlene transferred to the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut for her sophomore year, and would earn her dental hygiene degree there.

Arlene was a very meticulous, caring and excellent dental hygienist, and most of her patients would demand scheduling their appointments only with her. She took great pride in doing the best job for her patients and the practice, and often helped with other office duties when not working on a patient. She even became somewhat of an IT specialist for the office, having a big appetite for learning as much as she could about computers and the specialized equipment in the office.

In 1970, Arlene met the love of her life, Bernie Bialek, when their mutual good friend Tom Schumm introduced them. Arlene and Bernie married on May 5, 1972, a date Bernie requested, saying he would always remember it because it was his mother’s birthday. Arlene and Bernie would later learn that date was something called “Cinco de Mayo,” which they loved as big fans of Mexican cuisine and margaritas. Arlene and Bernie celebrated their 50th anniversary this past May 5, 2022.

On December 2, 1973, Arlene and Bernie welcomed Brandy into their world, the first of two beautiful daughters they would have. Younger sister Stacy was born on February 17, 1977. Arlene was an excellent, loving mother and was always so proud of everything the girls did, from learning to walk and talk, to earning their college degrees from KU and becoming successful in their professional careers. Arlene could never do enough for the girls, as was her way with other family members and friends as well, especially her grandkids. Nothing but the best was good enough for her grandkids. Known as Ya Ya to them, Arlene would always put away money throughout the year for the grandkids’ Christmas gifts and had a hard time stopping when buying gifts for them for any occasion regardless of what she had put aside. She also set up Kansas Learning Quest savings accounts for each of her grandchildren to help with their eventual college expenses.

Arlene loved to travel, whether it was just with husband Bernie or with a group of family and friends. Hawaii and the Caribbean were her preferred destinations, with the islands of Maui and St. Martin being her two favorites. Maui was special because of its natural beauty and the fact that the KU Jayhawks played in the Maui Invitational Basketball Tournament during three of their trips there. St. Martin was special because of the beautiful beaches there, the combination of great food and fun places to visit, and simply because it’s known as “The Friendly Island.”

She also loved to entertain family and friends at home, always making sure that everyone had a great time. Her energy on those occasions was endless, and the family at times called her the “Energizer Bunny,” because she could never sit still if you were in her home, and would always be sure everyone enjoyed themselves until the time they left. More than the hospitality she always exhibited, most will remember Arlene for that award-winning smile she possessed. As Bernie would say, “she could light up a room with that smile, and one of many reasons she was my best friend in life.”

Arlene is survived by her Husband Bernie, daughters Brandy Frost (Scott Bradbury) and Stacy Bialek (Rustin Leathers), grandchildren Jamie Frost, Morgan Frost, Cooper Frost, Kennedy Leathers, Sarah Bradbury, and Courtney Bradbury, and her older brother Bob Binda Jr. (Doris). She was preceded in death by her parents Robert “Bob” Binda and Eleanor (Hellinghausen) Binda.

Services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Church of the Nativity in Leawood, Kansas. The funeral mass will be preceded by a visitation starting at 9:30 am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the University of Kansas Cancer Research.