Arleene Dolores Rybka

Arleene “Ar” Dolores (Koster) Rybka passed away peacefully with family by her side at 10:21 am on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at Huguley Hospital.

She was born on September 9, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to Stanley and Anna Koster (Kostrzewski). She grew up on Wellington Avenue with her older sister Mary Ann Schuh. On June 3, 1967, Arleene married Robert “Bob” Rybka in a big Polish Catholic ceremony at St. Alphonsus Church.

Arleene met Bob at Lakeview Bank on Lincoln, Belmont and Ashland. She trained him when he was first hired and watched him move up the corporate ladder to Vice President of Operations. Arleene and Bob moved to Eddy Street where they had their first daughter Kimberly Rybka and later moved to Dakin Street where they had their second daughter Cheryl Rybka. On September 9, 1982, the family moved to Des Plaines, Illinois where they lived in the “big brown house on the corner” on Pennsylvania Avenue. This was the only birthday that Bob did not buy Arleene a birthday card, something of which turned into a family joke for many years. Arleene continued her work in banking for Talman Home, LaSalle Bank and later retired with Bank of America.

In 2006, Arleene, Bob, their children and grandchildren moved to Burleson, Texas. Arleene enjoyed spending time with her family, watching her grandsons play baseball and football, and going to bible study at St. Ann Catholic Church.

Arleene loved to have family and friends at the house for parties and get togethers. She had a great sense of humor. She was very outspoken and was a strong woman. Anyone who met her knew where they stood with her. If she liked you, she would do anything for you, but if she didn’t like you, well, you would know that too! Arleene always said that she didn’t have high blood pressure, she gave it. Arleene loved to travel having been on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama and Europe. She enjoyed going out to dinner with Rum and 7-Up with a lemon as her drink of choice.

She is survived by her husband Bob Rybka of Burleson, Texas, her two children, Kimberly Rybka of Burleson and Cheryl Rybka of Fort Worth. Her grandsons, Derrick Rybka (wife Tori Rybka), Christopher Rybka (wife Bailey Rybka), and Gabriel Krzywicki.

She was preceded in death by her father Stanley Koster, mother Anna Koster (Prusak), and sister Mary Ann Schuh (husband Tom Schuh).

Family and friends are invited to the mass at St. Ann Catholic Church in Burleson, Texas. The mass will be followed by a party at Arleene and Bob’s house (RSVP required). As Arleene stated in her living will for her funeral, “No pink – purple – yellow or any other dumb ass colors my 2 sweet daughters may decide on. Party after entombment – lots of food and booze.”

Arleene’s family would like to thank the medical team at Huguley Hospital where Arleene spent the final 19 days of her life despite the nurses “slam banging” around in her room (according to Arleene). The team’s compassion and care in her final 3 days allowed Arleene’s family to be with her as she left this earth while her parents, sister, God and St. Peter were in heaven to welcome her home.

We will miss you always Arleene – loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend – until we meet again. Na Zdrowie, and of course, Pansowamie!

In Lieu of flowers please send a donations in Arleene’s name to:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or K9s For Warriors