Freija Rowena Woodall

Freija Rowena Woodall, 65, of New Palestine, Indiana, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2023, following a long battle with cancer. She was born on September 22, 1957, in Lafayette, Indiana, to parents, Richard Von Der Reider and Marjorie (Freeman) Von Der Reider.

On February 14, 1975, Freija married the love of her life, Gary Woodall, spending 48 loving and dedicated years together.

Throughout her life, she worked a few different professions. She showed every company how she was an inspiring and strong leader, whether it was as a restaurant manager, supply clerk; US Army Finance Center, Computer Security Information Officer; Naval Air Warfare Center, or a Special Security officer and Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility Manager for Raytheon. Freija retired from Raytheon after 30 years of service in 2017.

Freija was an amazing woman of many talents and passions. She was a gifted seamstress, creating and sewing clothing for her daughter during her younger years. She loved doing crafts and making quilts. She also loved to go camping, hiking and on cruises to Caribbean islands that her and Gary shared together.

Freija attended St. Paul the Apostle in Texas which gave her strong faith of the Lord. She moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and attended Fulton Junior High and Ben Davis High School. There she met her husband the love of her life and married on Valentine’s Day 1975, right after high school.

Freija and husband had three children Lane, Karl and Sandi. As a working mother she always found time to volunteer for school actives including PTA, field trips chaperone, high school colorguard momma. With her gifted seamstress skills, she was able to make colorguard flags and uniforms. In addition, she made dresses for family and friends including weddings, bridesmaids and proms.

She loved vacations with her family which included Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and Caribbean cruises. When her daughter was four Freija participated in the Mrs. Indiana Pageant and was in the top ten. During her work career she received numerous awards and acknowledgments which include a Global Security Services Excellence award. Her favorite charities are Folds of Honor and Wounded Warriors. Freija was a dedicated loving wife, mother and grandmother and she will certainly be missed by all the lives she has touched.

Freija is survived by her loving husband, Gary Woodall; son, Karl Woodall; daughter, Kasandra Woodall; her grandchildren, Jay Woodall, Nick Woodall, Trinity Woodall and Lason Woodall; her daughter in-laws, Susan Woodall, Dawn Smith, Jessica Beck; sister, Brunnhilde Woodall; brother, Siegfried Von Der Reider; and mother of Lason Woodall, Michelle Honeycutt.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Von Der Reider and Majorie Gilbach; Stepfather, Robert Gilbach; Son, Lane Steven Ray Woodall.

Visitation for Freija will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, June 26, 2023, at Flanner Buchanan Washington Park East – 10722 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46229. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 11:00 AM also at Flanner Buchanan Washington Park East. Burial will follow at Washington Park East Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Folds of Honor and Wounded Warriors.