Louise E. (Erickson) Sauer passed away peacefully at her home on May 27, 2016. She was born in Whitehall, Wisconsin on June 2, 1929, to Orlen J. and Sadie O. (Hanson) Erickson. She was the oldest of their seven children. Lou graduated from Arcadia High School at the age of 16. Soon after, she received an invitation to try out in Chicago for the All American Girls Professional Baseball League that had been developed in 1943 during World War II. She played for the Racine Belles in 1948 and was traded and played for the Rockford Peaches in 1949 and 1950. She retired from her baseball career to marry Burton Sauer. They were married in Arcadia on November 29, 1950.
Through the years, Lou worked many part time jobs. She worked at Vern's IGA as a grocery clerk. Later, she cleaned the Riverview Lanes for owners Adolf and Agnes Chitko and then Marc and Maryann Przybilla. She coached the high school girls' softball teams and also the Arcadia City women's fast pitch team for several summers. After Burton retired from the postal service, they rode together reading meters around Trempealeau County for several years.
In recent years, her home was a favorite stop for the Trempealeau County Tourism buses. She would go out to the buses to hand out her baseball cards, tell her story of how she got into the league, talk about her experiences and also answer questions. Lou was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on November 5, 1988.
Another honor bestowed to her was being added to the Arcadia High School Alumni Wall of Honor. Her final tribute was to be inducted into the La Crosse Sports Association Hall of Fame on March 15th, of this year. There will be a plaque with her name imbedded in the new walkway entrance to the Loggers' Lumberyard when it is renovated later this fall.
Lou was an avid Brewers and Packers fan and also liked to cheer on the Cubs. In her younger days, she hunted with Burt and later fished with Burt and the grandsons. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She taught family values by living as a true role model.
Lou was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and three brothers; Bud "Roland", Junior, and Dick "Don". She is survived by one sister; Sue Parisi of Madison, two brothers; Sam (Ronda) Erickson of Pleasantville and Robert (Kathy) Erickson of Arcadia, her son; Jim Sauer and daughter; Nancy (Rollie) Slaby, all of Arcadia, two grandsons; Eric (Sarah) Slaby, of Arcadia and Christopher Slaby of Wisconsin Rapids, and one great grandson Dominic Slaby of Arcadia. She is also survived by one uncle, two aunts and many nieces and nephews. Per Lou's wishes, there will be no visitation or public memorial service. Wozney-Killian Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements
Memorials can be directed to the All American Girls Professional Baseball League by mailing Jill Rietjens, AAGPBL, Treasurer, 1245 Dell Mar Dr., Los Osos, CA 93402 or on line to [email protected]. Donations can also be made in her name to any area Humane Society.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Louise Sauer, please visit our flower store.
Through the years, Lou worked many part time jobs. She worked at Vern's IGA as a grocery clerk. Later, she cleaned the Riverview Lanes for owners Adolf and Agnes Chitko and then Marc and Maryann Przybilla. She coached the high school girls' softball teams and also the Arcadia City women's fast pitch team for several summers. After Burton retired from the postal service, they rode together reading meters around Trempealeau County for several years.
In recent years, her home was a favorite stop for the Trempealeau County Tourism buses. She would go out to the buses to hand out her baseball cards, tell her story of how she got into the league, talk about her experiences and also answer questions. Lou was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on November 5, 1988.
Another honor bestowed to her was being added to the Arcadia High School Alumni Wall of Honor. Her final tribute was to be inducted into the La Crosse Sports Association Hall of Fame on March 15th, of this year. There will be a plaque with her name imbedded in the new walkway entrance to the Loggers' Lumberyard when it is renovated later this fall.
Lou was an avid Brewers and Packers fan and also liked to cheer on the Cubs. In her younger days, she hunted with Burt and later fished with Burt and the grandsons. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She taught family values by living as a true role model.
Lou was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and three brothers; Bud "Roland", Junior, and Dick "Don". She is survived by one sister; Sue Parisi of Madison, two brothers; Sam (Ronda) Erickson of Pleasantville and Robert (Kathy) Erickson of Arcadia, her son; Jim Sauer and daughter; Nancy (Rollie) Slaby, all of Arcadia, two grandsons; Eric (Sarah) Slaby, of Arcadia and Christopher Slaby of Wisconsin Rapids, and one great grandson Dominic Slaby of Arcadia. She is also survived by one uncle, two aunts and many nieces and nephews. Per Lou's wishes, there will be no visitation or public memorial service. Wozney-Killian Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements
Memorials can be directed to the All American Girls Professional Baseball League by mailing Jill Rietjens, AAGPBL, Treasurer, 1245 Dell Mar Dr., Los Osos, CA 93402 or on line to [email protected]. Donations can also be made in her name to any area Humane Society.
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