Reta Ellen (Rhoads) Peterson, 84, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday (November 24, 2015) at Kirksville Manor Care Center.

The daughter of Minus Theodore and Ada Ellen (Warren) Rhoads, she was born December 20, 1930 in Green City, Missouri. On June 25, 1950 in Greentop, Missouri, Reta was united in marriage to Kenneth Wayne Peterson who preceded her in death on October 26, 1998.

She was also preceded in death by parents, one son, Harold Peterson; one brother in infancy, and one sister, Ruth Quintin.

Reta is survived by one son and daughter-in-law Kendall and Janice Peterson of LaPlata, MO; one daughter and son-in-law, Celesta and Everett Boltz of Kirksville, MO; eight grandchildren, Amber Renee Thompson, Kristin Lynn Bredeman, Nicole Lee Peterson, Jason Wayne Peterson, Justin Wade Peterson, Jacquelyn Irene Cornell, Jennifer Marie Wiles and Kimberly Sue Manning; twenty great-grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild.

Reta was a graduate from Queen City High School. She worked thirty years at Grim Smith & Laughlin Hospitals and in 1975 opened a beauty salon behind her home which she operated until the time of becoming ill.

Reta enjoyed cooking, gardening and mowing. Most of all she loved taking care of and spending time with her family.

She was a member of Hamilton Street Baptist Church of Kirksville.

Public visitation will be held Saturday (November 28, 2015) with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday (November 29, 2015) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jackson officiating. Interment will follow the service at New Harmony Cemetery, west of Greentop, Missouri.

Pallbearers will be Jason Peterson, Justin Peterson, Gary Foreman, Mike Helton, James Bredeman, and Aaron Thompson. Matt Calcagni will be an honorary pallbearer.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Reta Peterson may be made to Hamilton Street Baptist Church. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.