Louie Echevarria

Louie “Louie” Echevarria, 68, of Boise died peacefully Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005 at home after a yearlong, courageous battle with cancer, with his beloved wife at his side. Louie was born March 15, 1936 in Aulestia, Bizkaia, Spain to Jose Manuel Echevarria and Florentina Aramburu Echevarria. In 1952, leaving his beloved homeland at age 16, Louie immigrated to the United States with his mother, brother and sister to join his dad and Tio Victor Aramburu, settling in Parma, Idaho. He attended Parma High School. Louie enlisted in the U.S. Navy Jan. 5, 1956 and served aboard the USS Hornet until his honorable discharge Dec. 4, 1959. Returning to Parma, Louie had various jobs until he realized barbering was the career for him. He attended Boise State Barber College in May 1963 and graduated in October 1963 as a licensed barber. After his apprenticeship, he opened his own business at the Owyhee Hotel. Louie decided to relocate his business and opened Louie’s Barber Shop on Bannock Street. After 42 years of barbering, Louie retired in November 2003 due to ill health. He loved his business, his many dear and loyal customers, and the lifetime friendships that he made at his barbershop. In September 1964 Louie married Sharon Sanders Jackson and adopted her two children. They later divorced. On May 2, 1984 Louie married his sweetheart and soul mate, Luise “Lu” Guisasola in Boise. Louie’s most enjoyable hobby was trap shooting and sporting clays. He also enjoyed playing golf and traveling. Among their many travels, Louie and Lu made two memorable trips to the Basque country. Louie was a member of Euzkaldunak (Basque Center), Basque Museum and Cultural Center, St. John’s Cathedral Parish, Boise Gun Club and Idaho Sporting Clays. Louie is survived by his loving wife Lu; his mother Florentina; his brother and sister-in-law Imanol and Esther of Madrid, Spain; sister and brother-in-law Dolores and Ricardo Salutregui of Boise; adopted daughter Tina; uncles and aunts, several nieces, nephews and cousins, here in the United States and in Spain. He was preceded in death by his father Jose, mother-in-law Marie Aberasturi, adopted son Jeff and several aunts and uncles. Our thanks go to his many doctors and nurses. Our special thanks to the staff of Boise Memorial Hospice, especially to Todd and Arlene, for their devoted tender care for our Louie.