Arlene Mladenka

November 21, 1937 – October 30, 2021

Arlene Vitek Mladenka, 83, of Waco passed away on October 30, 2021, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 6, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church on New Road. Viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m., and the service will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial in the family plot at Pavelka Cemetery in Elk.

Arlene entered into this life on November 21, 1937, the eldest of three children. Her parents, Willie and Clarice Vitek, owned Vitek’s Grocery & Market. Vitek’s was established by Arlene’s grandparents, Will and Hattie Vitek, and subsequently became a Waco favorite.

Arlene grew up on Speight Avenue and attended South Waco Elementary, South Junior High and Waco High School, graduating with honors in 1955. While in High School, Arlene enjoyed chorus and membership of the Darden Literary Society (fondly remembering it as the “Darden Cake Society” for their many bake sale fundraisers). She spent evenings and weekends working at Kress’ Department Store downtown and remembered the 1953 tornado, witnessing the large funnel skip over her house. On Sundays, she attended St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir.

Arlene was accepted into Concordia Lutheran College to become a teacher, but instead began an accounting career at Baker Insurance. While delivering bank deposits to Citizens National Bank, she met bank teller Donnie Mladenka, and the two were married on November 24, 1956. They remained married for 33 years.

Arlene and Donnie were long-time supporters of the Waco Jay-Cees, and Arlene spent countless volunteer hours working with the PTA and the ACLD. Arlene was a talented bookkeeper and loved to dance, sing, work in her yard, and especially watch the Baylor Lady Bears basketball games as a season ticket holder.

Arlene quit working in 1966 to raise her two boys, Mark and Matt, and moved into the family’s long-time home in 1972. She later returned to work to pursue a second career as the bookkeeper for Kelly Realtors, before retiring.

Later in life, Arlene spent many of her evenings attending the senior dances at Sull Ross, and was part of their traveling dance group. There she met George Ross and partnered with him until his death, and then Dick Stithem, recently deceased. Both were fine men for whom she cared deeply.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents Willie and Clarice Vitek, brother Richard Vitek, Donnie Mladenka, and very special friends George Ross and Dick Stithem.

Arlene is survived by children Mark Mladenka and wife Cristina of Garland; Matt Mladenka and wife Sarah of Frisco; and four granddaughters: Antonella Mladenka, Gabriella Mladenka, Sophia Mladenka and Eloise Mladenka; brother, Billy Joe Vitek and wife Susan of Waco; sister-in-law May Dell Sulak; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.