Daisy Jane Pranger Freeman, age 96, died peacefully at her home of recent years, Brookdale at Cy-Fair, on Sunday, April 22, 2018. She was born on May 6, 1921, in Duluth, Minnesota, the eldest child of Albert and Sybil Pranger, recent immigrants from the Netherlands.
Daisy is survived by her children, Peggy Romberg (Tom), Jack Freeman (Ann) and Rick Freeman (Susie). She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Elaine Gravatt (Russell), Margaret Carter, Matthew Romberg (Janet), Cullen Freeman, Richard Freeman (Tammie), Kenneth Freeman (Tamara), and Taylor Freeman.
Eleven great-grandchildren also survive her, including Elizabeth and Jackson Carter, Olivia and Gillian Gravatt, Zachary, Wyatt and Sawyer Romberg; Jason and Jacob Freeman; and Jack and Andie Freeman.
She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years and love of her life, Jack; her parents; her sister and brother, Janet Montgomery and Matthew Pranger; and great-grandson, Matthew Curtis Gravatt.
Daisy was an excellent student at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, especially excelling in mathematics, and an accomplished violinist, playing both in the Wilson High School Orchestra and Southern Methodist University Orchestra while still in high school. She also served as Drum Major for her high school band.
Daisy and Jack met at the University of Texas where they were both students, and he was a member of the football team. After eloping, they continued to live in Austin while Jack finished school in January 1943. They moved to San Antonio where Jack completed pilot training with the Army Air Corps at Randolph Airbase. He became a pilot instructor and played football for Randolph until the end of World War II when they moved to New York City where he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the NFL.
Daisy and Jack were avid Longhorn football fans and traveled to most games, until his death in 1990. Even then she came from Houston to Austin for home games, enjoying a reserved table in the Longhorn Foundation room, until the travel became too difficult for her.
She and Jack enjoyed world traveling together with the Flying Longhorns, visiting China, Scandinavia, Italy, Greece, France, Africa and other destinations. They also loved Colorado and their annual fishing trips there.
She had a warm, friendly, and charming personality. As a result, she made friends easily wherever she was, including her last years at Brookdale. This trait served her well as Jack’s military, football, and professional careers resulted in several relocations.
She was a strong woman, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Her family was the most important thing in her life, and she put family first. She always had answers when they needed her help.
Services will be held on Friday, May 4, at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway (IH 10), Houston, Texas, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. and service at 2:00 p.m.
Donations in Daisy’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, the Houston Food Pantry or the Austin Food Pantry.
