Reta Marie Steele, 83

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Blue Earth – Reta Marie (Anderson) Steele died peacefully at home surrounded by her family after a short battle with glioblastoma on June 12, 2023. Reta was born in Blue Earth, to Medford and Lois (Shuttleworth) Anderson on July 31, 1939. She graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1957 and went on to commercial college in Mankato where she studied clerical work. 

Reta then met her husband, Eldon, in the summer of 1958 and married on Nov. 21, 1959. A honeymoon in Florida kicked off the beginning of their many years of traveling and 63 years of marriage. Reta and Eldon soon added three children. Reta stayed at home to raise them until the youngest started school. In 1971, the Blue Earth Area Schools gained an amazing asset as Reta began her career there as an audiovisual director and worked until her retirement in 2001. Throughout her next 22 years, Reta lived her retirement to the fullest enjoying many hobbies such as gardening, canning, cooking, sewing, card making, genealogical research, and traveling. Her passion for travel was shared with her husband as they spent the last 20 winters exploring the southwest in their RV as well as seeing 49 states and nine European countries. 

Reta is preceded in death by her parents, Med and Billie; her daughter, Angela Powell; her brother, John Anderson; her father and mother-in-law, Alton and Gladys; her brothers-in-law, Vernon and Ramon Steele; and her sister-in-law, Nancy Steele. 

She is survived by her husband; her sons, Lyndon (Diane Connors) and Sheldon (René Durhman); her siblings, Nancy Cole and George  (Judy) Anderson; granddaughters, Jennifer (Mark) Summe and Jessica; and great-grandchildren Judah, Remi, Ari, and Eila, and her pup, Brindle.

In lieu for flowers or gifts, please send donations to the Salvation Army.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Hope United Methodist Church in Blue Earth. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, June 23 at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth and one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will take place at Pilot Grove Cemetery.