Rhea Ida (Nelson) Peterson, 90, of Clinton, passed peacefully away the morning of Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at Liberty Village of Clinton.

 

Services will be at a later time. The family entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with cremation rites.

 

Memorials may be directed the Rhea Ida Peterson Memorial Fund.

 

Rhea was born on June 1, 1929 in rural Wapella, IL, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Ida Minerva (Kesecker) Nelson. She married Paul "Bearpaw" Peterson February 13, 1948 in Monticello, IL. Paul passed away July 1992.

 

Survivors include her son, Patrick Peterson, Clinton, IL; daughter, Kelly Garcia, Jourdanton, TX; 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, with one on the way, and 4 step great grandchildren.

 

She is preceded in death by her parents, son, Michael "Butch" Peterson, an infant daughter, and grandson, William Shane Peterson; 3 sisters, Bonnie Breeze, Aretta Thoms, and Iona Thoms; 5 brothers, Sammy Nelson, Lyle Nelson, Gerald Nelson, Wayne Nelson, and Milford Nelson. 

 

She also had an extended family through the Pow Wows she attended with Bearpaw and was called Mom and Grandma by many who loved her.

 

She attended The First Christian Church, Clinton, IL. She worked and retired from Charles Todd Uniform. Rhea continued to work part time at Modern Cleaners after retirement. 

 

Rhea enjoyed camping and the outdoors, traveling to pow wows with her family, and loved listening to country music -- her favorite being Alan Jackson.  Preparing meals for her family and friends was one of her greatest joys and she was particularly famous for her homemade noodles. Rhea "The Navigator" led a life of many adventures, always ready and willing to pursue the next one! Her greatest adventure has just begun in the reuniting with those gone on before her.