Deanna Kay Freeman

Deanna Kay (Arnold) Freeman passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 26, 2026, having lived a good and meaningful life. Deanna was born January 13, 1940, to Stanley and Louise "Luke" Arnold, joining her older sister Donora and completing their family. Deanna grew up in southern Indiana, graduating in 1958 from Tell City High School where she played first chair trumpet -- a musical passion shared by her high school boyfriend and eventual husband of 59 years, Floyd Freeman, whom she married on March 31, 1962. Floyd was the true love of her life, but he had to share some of Deanna’s attention with fellow musicians Willie Nelson and Leonard Cohen (IYKYK).

In the early years of their marriage, Deanna worked for Indiana Bell, handling customer service, billing, and sales in the Tell City office. In 1971, Deanna left professional employment to embark on a new role - mother to Sarah and homemaker extraordinaire. Deanna devoted the prime years of her life to her family -- gardening, canning, and cooking delicious fresh produce; baking everything from scratch; and sewing beautiful outfits for Sarah and her Barbie dolls. To list all the ways Deanna enriched both Floyd's and Sarah's lives would exceed the word count of this obituary -- she was always there for each of them in every way they needed her to be.

Deanna also enjoyed spending time with friends who shared her interests, from genealogy and civics (Daughters of the American Revolution), to travel (Perry County Travel Club), and of course music (Crawford County Community Band and New Horizons Band of Indianapolis). But in the last two decades of her life, Deanna was primarily interested in spending time with her favorite granddaughter, Nia Louise Stewart. Deanna's devotion to Nia was so steadfast that Deanna and Floyd relocated to Indianapolis to live near Nia; Deanna overcame her lifelong fear of flying in order to accompany Nia on trips across the country, including several to Disney World and Universal Studios. Deanna and Nia also shared a love for sports, especially basketball, and attended many Pacers games together.

Deanna was preceded in death by her beloved husband Floyd, her parents Stan and Louise, and her sister Donnie and brother-in-law Ralph Boerste. Still surviving but with holes in their hearts are her daughter Sarah, granddaughter Nia, son-in-law Ian Stewart, and nephew Dean Boerste (Pam Hagedorn).

Memorial service details are pending. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to New Horizons Band or 65th Street Klezmorim (select The Cantor Janice L. Roger Music & Cultural Arts Fund from the drop down menu).