Rita Bialas

Rita Mae Bialas died September 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 am Thursday, September 22 at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus. There will be a CDA Rosary at 4:30 pm Wednesday with visitation to follow from 5-6:30 pm, all at St. Isidore Church. There will be a parish Rosary at 6:30 pm Wednesday, also at the church. Visitation will continue Thursday morning from 9:30 am until service time at the Church. Interment is in All Saints Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the St. Bonaventure Parish Center.

Rita was born October 5, 1931, in Polk County. She grew up on a farm south of Duncan and attended elementary school in Polk County and graduated from Osceola High School. On May 25, 1954, she was united in marriage to Lloyd Bialas at St. Mary's-Pilsno Catholic Church. They lived and farmed for over 40 years west of Silver Creek before moving to Columbus. Her Catholic faith and love for her family were the most important things in her life. She led a very faith-filled and prayerful life with a deep devotion to our Blessed Mother and the rosary. Rita was a member of St. Bonaventure Church, Sts. Peter and Paul Krakow Rosary and Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, Medjugorje Rosary and Perpetual Adoration.

Rita managed the Columbus Sales Pavilion Café for over twenty years in which she was known for her daily specials and homemade pies. After retiring from the Sales Pavilion, she continued to work as a baker at Traditions in Columbus. She was also a volunteer at the Columbus Community Hospital. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family, friends and neighbors. She was especially known for her homemade rolls, kolaches and pies, winning first place for her strawberry rhubarb pie at a pie-baking competition. She enjoyed polka music, crocheting, gardening, playing bingo, an occasional trip to the casino and watching the Huskers and Jeopardy. She especially loved being an identical twin with her sister Theresa. They enjoyed dressing alike and occasionally assuming the other's identity for fun. They also won first place at an identical twins competition. Most important to Rita (Bingo Grandma) was her love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who held a very special place in her heart. She spent many hours caring, calling and playing with them.

Survived by four children son Robert (Anna) Bialas of Grand Island, daughters Kathy (John) Wright of Columbus, Joanne Bialas of Lincoln, son Randy (Linda) Bialas of Holdrege, 11 grandchildren, Benjamin (Lisa) Bialas of Houston, TX, Bryan Bialas and Victoria Bialas of Omaha, Lauren (Brandon) Esch of Columbus, Megan (James) Shumaker of Lincoln, Jacob Wright of Omaha, Michael Wright of Norfolk, Jamie (Janessa) Bialas and Tyler Bialas of Holdrege, and Halle Bialas and Lexi Bialas of Lincoln, 6 great-grandchildren, Blaine and Jameson Shumaker, Isabella and Isadora Bialas, Kinley and Owen Esch, sister Marge (Ray) Rinkol, in-laws Walter (Beverly) Bialas, Richard Bialas, Johnny (Maxine) Bialas, Emily Bialas, Carol Swantek, Carolyn Swantek, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years, Lloyd Bialas, parents John and Victoria (Hanzel) Swantek, sisters Inez Sempek, identical twin sister Theresa Micek, three brothers John, Stanley and Richard Swantek, father and mother in-law Charles and Mary Bialas.