Louis F. Counter

Louis (Lou) Frank Counter was born on July 2, 1941 in Center City, Iowa, and passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

A passionate sports fan, skilled dahlia gardener, and devoted Dad and Grandpa; he was also a loving dog dad, proud veteran, and successful engineer. Lou was diversely skilled, deeply intelligent, and endlessly generous. Loved and known for his sage advice, knowing looks, and quick zingers, Lou will be missed for the practicality and knowledge he brought to every situation.

Lou grew up in Burlington, Iowa, with his sister, Judy, and parents, Katheryne and Mahleon (Red) Counter. He attended Iowa State University where he studied engineering and played varsity tennis, playing in the NCAA tournament and later becoming a top ranked tennis player in Wisconsin. In 1964, Lou graduated with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Lou remained an avid Iowa State University football fan throughout his life. Following university, Lou served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Korea. After his years of service, Lou returned to Greendale, Wisconsin, where he raised his three children – Debora, Steve, and Sara with his first wife, Nancy Counter. Lou enjoyed playing sports with his kids and fishing for a ‘big one’ at Moon Beach UCC church camp. Lou was able to land those ‘big ones’ in recent years during his beloved family fishing trips to Alaska, including multiple king salmon and a 100 pound halibut.

Lou spent his entire successful career at Rexnord Corporation. He held several patents and retired as the Director of Research and Development. He married Sheila Galegher on December 26, 1992 and together they enjoyed sports, family, food, and travel. Lou and Sheila moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin in 2004, where they started their dahlia empire. Whether he was gardening, storing, ordering, labeling, wrapping, or shipping the dahlias himself (or providing Sheila with well-intended pointers), Lou’s love for his flowers never faded.

Lou and Sheila spent summers at their home in Waukesha and winters in Gold Canyon, Arizona. In Arizona, the pair could often be found on the golf course and hiking trails, with an occasional visit to their favorite neighborhood restaurant for a Perfecto Margarita (or two). In his later years, Lou spent his time cycling around their Gold Canyon neighborhood on his trike and cheering Sheila on during pickleball tournaments.

He loved family visits and time with his children and grandchildren - always curious and supportive of their activities, adventures, and achievements. All knew that they’d be asked ‘what’s your plan’ and that he’d be ready to help them execute it.

Lou is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sheila Galegher; children, Debora (Glenn) Terrell of Minnetonka, MN, Steven (Mandi) Counter of Shoreline, WA, and Sara (Judson) Phillips of Lakeville, MN; grandchildren, Chelsey Emerson, Preston (Kait) Emerson, Marin (Andy) Reding, and Andrew Counter; great-grandchild, Pryor Emerson; and beloved dogs, Ella and Tater. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Judy, dog Katie, and cats Simba & LC. Lou was, in life, and is still, in good company.

A celebration of Lou’s life for friends and family will be held at their home in Waukesha on November 22nd from 1-3 pm.

Friends and loved ones who are interested in helping honor Lou’s memory are asked to contribute to a veteran’s organization.