Frank S. Bialas

Frank S. Bialas, 77, of Fullerton, passed away Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at Bryan Medical Center-East in Lincoln.

 Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Fullerton with Reverend William L’Heureux officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Fullerton. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. with a 6 p.m. vigil service on Sunday, Sept. 22 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Palmer-Santin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Frank was born May 11, 1947, to Louis and Anne (Dubas) Bialas in Genoa. He grew up on the family farm south of Fullerton. He attended Red Top District 58, St. Peter and Paul Catholic School at Krakow, and St. Peter’s Catholic School in Fullerton. He graduated from Fullerton High School in 1965. After graduation, he attended culinary school in Omaha, where he was known for his cheesecakes. He worked as a road construction foreman for Gerhold Concrete. In 1969, he married his sweetheart, Debby Wondercheck, and they made their home in Fullerton, where they raised their three children: Louis, Erica, and Nikki. He started Bialas Brothers Construction with his brothers, Sam and Paul. Together, they ran the business for over 45 years until his retirement in 2016.

He was a lifetime member of the Eagles Club, served on the Fullerton Public Schools board for 12 years, and the Lions Club. He had a lifelong love of reading, going to Broadway musicals, and attending horse races. He also loved watching sports of all kinds, especially when it came to watching his granddaughters (aka “his boys”) in their sports and fine arts events. His love for polka music knew no bounds, and his neighbors often enjoyed — or endured — the lively tunes from his home. He and Debby traveled yearly, often visiting national parks, as well as the Polish festival in Pulaski, Wis., for many years.

Frank appreciated education, knowledge, honesty, hard work, dedication, fortitude, kindness, compassion, and humor. He and his stories will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Debby of Fullerton; children, Louis (Jenny) Bialas of Milford, Erica Bialas of Portland, Ore., and Nikki (David) Small of Lincoln; six granddaughters, Cecelia Bialas, Isabella Bialas, Joslyn (fiancé, Maclain Beach) Small, Jasmine Small, Victoria Robledo, and Jordan Small; siblings, Sam (Linda) Bialas of Fullerton, Paul (Kathy) Bialas of Fullerton, Evelyn Blahak of Columbus, David (Luann) Bialas of Hastings, Tom Bialas of Fullerton, Diane (Adolph) Wotipka of Ceresco, Lois (Jeff) Greenwalt of Hastings, and Janice (Ed) Drozd of Genoa; and mother-in-law, Lavonne Wondercheck of Fullerton; brother-in-law, Jonathan Wondercheck of Fullerton; and sister-in-law, Dierdra Trevino of Rogersville, Tenn.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, John Wondercheck; and brother-in-law, Dave Blahak.