Louis Lou Elsworth Fricke

Lou was born March 11, 1933 in Rogers, MN, the sixth (of 7) child of Louis and Florence Fricke. He is survived by one brother, Harlen Fricke and one sister, Pauline Savitsky, both residing in the Minneapolis, MN area. After serving in the Navy four years, Lou married Anna Artone in 1956 and they had 4 children: Susan, Jim, Dan, and Dennis in Minnesota before relocating to Southern California when Lou transferred with Honeywell/Lockheed in 1963. They went on to have 3 more children: Kathleen, Louie, and Judy here in the Santa Clarita Valley, where they raised all 7. Lou is survived by Anna Fricke, his 7 children, their spouses, his 16 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Lou owned and operated Air Champion, Inc., a successful local Heating & Air Conditioning company for over 44 years until he suffered a severe stroke in 2006. His passions were flying his private airplanes, spending time at his property in Pine Mountain Lake in Central California, riding his bicycle every day, his business, everything chocolate! ~and most of all, enjoying time with his grandchildren. He was involved in many organizations including: CONCERN, Boy Scouts of America, Eucharistic Ministry, CCD, Cursillo & Marriage Encounter @ OLPH; as well as, working with orphanages in Mexico. Lou will always be remembered for his hard work, generosity, and love for his family.

A Rosary at 11:00 a.m. and Mass at 11:30 a.m. will be held on Friday, May 17, 2013 at Saint Kateri Catholic Church, 22508 Copper Hill, Saugus, CA 91350. Lou's family and friends will be celebrating his life with a Lunch Reception and Chocolate Party immediately following at Westridge Community Recreation Center in Santa Clarita. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society : www.cancer.org/donate