Lois Hortense (Anderson) Freese

Lois Hortense (Anderson) Freese, 96, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 17, 2022 in her residence at Park Place Senior Living of Fort Wayne, Indiana, with her son, Michael Freese, at her bedside. Lois was born March 11, 1926, in Fort Wayne, the youngest of three children of Harry O. Anderson, Sr., and Sadie (Butler) Anderson.

Along with her sister, Victoria Dienelt, and brother, Harry O. (“Sonny”) Anderson Jr., Lois graduated from South Side High School. Lois’s beloved Big Brother, Sonny, was killed during WWII in Germany in November 1944, fighting the Nazis.

After high school, Lois worked several jobs including one as a data processing keypunch operator at Bowser Gasoline Pump Company in Fort Wayne where she met her future husband, Donald A. Freese.

In the late 1960’s, after her children were older and in school, Lois returned to data processing work for IBM in their Ft. Wayne offices, teaching keypunching skills and overseeing keypunch work. When IBM closed its Ft. Wayne office, Lois went to work for Victor Temporary Services as manager of Victor’s keypunching department. Lois remained with Victor until she retired in 1984 and was highly respected by her colleagues and peers in the business community.

Lois and Donald married on June 10, 1949 and shared a happy loving family life together until Donald’s death in 2015, at age 91. Lois and Don raised two children, Kim Elizabeth DeGenarro (married to Vincenzo DeGenarro; sadly, Kim passed away in November 2020) and Michael Hunter Freese, married to Pamela Freese. Lois had three beloved Grandchildren: Rachel, Mason and Grace Freese, the children of Michael and Pamela. Lois was a devoted and loving Grandmother, adored by her Grandchildren for her warmth, kindness, good humor and delicious chocolate brownies.

Lois found her greatest joy spending time with her family and friends, laughing, playing euchre, singing and sharing stories of her life and experiences. Lois will be remembered as a cheerful and friendly person, unfailingly kind and generous of spirit.

A funeral service to honor Lois's life and legacy will be held on Saturday, November 5th, at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, at 1:00 pm, with visitation immediately prior, starting at noon. Burial at Highland Park Cemetery will follow, after which there will be a reception at the McComb Pine Valley facility.

The Freese Family offers its deepest gratitude to the staff at Park Place Senior Living Memory Care Unit and ProMedica Hospice (formerly Heartland Hospice) for their compassionate and loving care for Lois throughout the demanding challenges of the pandemic and the final days of her long and meaningful life. In memory and honor of Lois, donations may be made to Park Place Senior Living, c/o the Memory Care Unit, 4411 Park Place Dr., Ft. Wayne, IN 46845, to enhance the lives of their residents.