Louis "Lucky Lou" Czaplewski, age 69, passed away June 11, 2016 at his Gresham home.
Lou was born Feb. 18, 1947 in Chicago, IL the oldest child of five born to the late John L. and Bernice (Pawlus) Czaplewski. He attended St. Stanislaus Catholic grade school and Weber High School, and later college at Northeastern University in Chicago, studying organic chemistry. This love of chemistry started when he was 8 years old and Santa gave him his first chemistry set. By the time he was a teenager, he had a fully functioning chemistry lab in the family's basement. In 1981, he relocated to Wisconsin, where he was employed by CSI Corporation and Stork Cellramic of Milwaukee. He worked heading their Sales and Marketing department, which involved extensive travel throughout the US and Canada marketing anilox rolls for flexographic printing industry. He returned to the Shawano area where "Lucky Lou" was employed by the Menominee Casino until his retirement. H
e was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Gresham. Lou's voice was well-known on local talk radio, especially with his work with the blind as well as giving his time to help senior citizens learn computer skills.
Lou could literally light up the skies on the 4th of July – he was a member of
Pyrotechnics Guild International
and worked setting up firework displays for several Chicago suburbs. His other interests included morel mushrooms, squirrel hunting, fishing and traveling.
Survivors include his siblings: Bob (Anne) Czaplewski, Enfield, CT, Mary (Richard) Biss, Lake Villa, IL, and John Czaplewski, Homer Glen, IL; his nieces and nephews: Joe and Tom Wieringa, Cobi Burrows, Rob and Ryan Czaplewski, Grace and Ellen Biss. Numerous grandnieces and grandnephews; and good friends Aaron, Phil and Lorena High, Richard Zoglman and Neal Schultz.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Elizabeth Wieringa (1996).
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1230 Schabow Street in Gresham, with Aaron High, 2nd Counselor in the bishopric officiating. Burial will be in the Roosevelt Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service. The family would appreciate donations for funeral expenses in lieu of flowers.
The family would like to thank all of his friends that have helped and supported Lou, especially in the past few years. We would like to acknowledge the love and care provided to him by his second family, the Casper High Family, especially the unfailing friendship of Aaron that knew no limits – this pure Christ-like love is very deeply appreciated.
Today is not a forever goodbye-today is a temporary goodbye, until we see Lou again where he is now free of suffering and pain, of worry and distress and is surrounded by peace and love.
God-speed, Lou.
