John N Bialek

John Norbert Bialek, of Burlington, Wisconsin, died peacefully on Jan. 25, 2026, with family by his side. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on Nov. 12, 1949.

John fondly remembered his early years growing up above the family tavern in the old Polish neighborhood of Wicker Park. He spent most of his life at his family home situated on the most beautiful peninsula between Lakes Mary and Elizabeth in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, where he graduated from Wilmot High School in 1967. He was a proud alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1971 with a degree in accounting.

John was well known as the founder of Wisconsin’s Best Relish and for his legendary secret pickle spice recipe, its unmistakable scent ever present in the basement of the Bialek house and long remembered by all who passed through. He worked for many years as a sales representative for a variety of product manufacturers and loved attending food shows to discover the newest products and meet new contacts.

John embraced life’s simple pleasures. He enjoyed taking in the latest movie with a big bucket of popcorn, trying new restaurants and cuisines, and fishing for walleye. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, John was an avid baseball lover and a founding member of the Best-Wurst Rotisserie Baseball League, which he shared with his brothers, nephews and closest friends. He was optimistic, kind, and gentle, and he deeply loved his family and friends. Some of his favorite moments were spent when loved ones gathered at the lake to enjoy time with the Bialek family.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Norbert and Jeanette Bialek; his brother, Paul Bialek; and his brother-in-law, Dave Jackson.

He is survived by his siblings: Peter (Janita) Bialek, Janet Jackson, Anne (Sal) Lombardi, Liz (Dan) Harris, Susie (Mark) Wiemeler, David (Stephanie) Bialek, and Julie (Paul) Kokkin. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Jarrett (Gwen) Bialek, Dwight Jackson, Dennis Jackson, Jane (Daniel) Hernandez, Andrew (Kamila) Bialek, Matthew “Bunky” (Jessica) Bialek, Ellen Bialek (Andrew Slowik), Jack Kokkin, Caroline Kokkin, Grace Kokkin, Edward Bialek, Joseph Bialek, and Philip Bialek; and by his great-nieces and great-nephews: Madelynn Bialek, Charlotte and Joey Bialek, and Hazel and Ethan Hernandez.

A memorial service and celebration of John’s life is planned for spring 2026.

A true Fighting Irish fan to the end, John’s final request was to “win one for the Gipper,” a nod to George Gipp, the legendary Notre Dame football player. He will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.