Reta Opal Peterson, 75, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away, Monday, November 28, 2011 at a St. Joseph hospital. Reta was born November 13, 1936, in Albany, Missouri to Cecil Otto and Edith (Hoberg) Peterson. In 1959, Reta graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville with a degree in elementary education. She taught school for over 31 years in the St. Joseph Public School District as a kindergarten and elementary teacher at McKinley and Hosea Public Schools. She retired from teaching and returned to her home in Albany to care for her aging mother. After her mother passed away, Reta returned to St. Joseph to live at Corby Place Assisted Living Center. Reta was a charter member of the Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma honorary teaching society, life member of Missouri State Teachers Association, Missouri Retired Teachers and the American Association of University Women. While living in Albany, she attended the First Presbyterian Church. She was a devoted daughter, sister and a caring teacher to her many former students. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Reta was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Patricia Marsden. Survivors: Sister, Priscilla (Paul) Bushey, Gladstone, MO; Nephews, Paul Bushey II; Stefan Bushey, both of Kansas City, MO; Andrew Bushey, Gladstone; Scott Marsden, Los Angeles, CA; Niece, Susan Marsden, Bellflower, CA; Great-nieces, Jocelynn Morris, Liberty, MO; Anna Marie Marsden, Los Angeles, CA.