Louis “Louie” Lou” A. Filas
Louis “Louie” “Lou” A. Filas 89, passed away at his home, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. He was surrounded by family, who will all miss him dearly.
Louis was born Jan. 27, 1936, in Medford, the youngest of 14. After both his parents passed in his primary years, he was raised by his loving siblings, in Lublin and Chicago, Ill.
The challenges he endured helped him grow into the wonderful man he was.
At the age of 19, he joined the U.S. Army and proudly served his country, mainly stationed in Alaska.
He returned to marry his childhood sweetheart, Kathleen “Kathy” Kliscz, of 64 years, in 1959. As they navigated their early years together, they came to settle in Cadott, where Lou was the town barber, until retirement.
Together with his wife, Kathy, they raised five children: Pam (Phil) Danielson, Debbie (Gary) Benish, Barb (Tom) Freagon, John (Melissa) Filas and Julia (John) Eisenmann.
Lou was a family man, who never missed his children’s sporting events or special programs.
He had many qualities that made him “one of a kind.” He was a fantastic baseball player and later in life, an avid golfer, who scored not one, but two “Hole in Ones” in his lifetime.
Lou was quick-witted and saw humor in everyday life events. He enjoyed cooking, reading, westerns and a good “scotch on the rocks,” when visiting with family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife – Kathleen; children, as listed above; grandchildren – Payton Freagon, Danielle and Lukas Benish, Mike Danielson, Ashley Kren and Elise Foley; great-grandchildren – Jasmine Kren, Zion Taylor and Landon Benish; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents – Roman and Michalina Filas; and siblings – Bernice, Ruth, Ann, Mary, Ted, Estelle, Leo, Walter I, Bruno, Albert, Walter II, Loretta and Leonard.
Cheers to all who were lucky enough to be part of Lou’s life. “No one said it would be easy.”
A Service of Christian Burial will be held, at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 15, with Deacon Ned Willkom officiating, at Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m., until the time of service, at 1 p.m., at the funeral home.
A private family inurnment, with military honors, will be held at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.leiserfuneralhome. com. A special thank tou to Lou’s medical team – Dr. Kidess, Dr. Delmastro, Dr. Kincaid, Mayo Hospice and special nurse, Lisa.
