Reta Joy (Seeley) Root, 81, of Belle Plaine, IA passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 14, 2024.

Reta was born in Rockford, Illinois on March 20, 1943 to Maxine Sherck & Albert Seeley of Centerville, Iowa. Reta's family lived in Galesburg, IL and settled in Centerville, IA where she graduated from Centerville High School. Following high school, Reta went to Cedar Rapids and worked at Mercy Hospital as a nursing assistant. It was while living in Cedar Rapids that she met Lyle Root at the Armar Ballroom. The two were married on September 12, 1970 at the Little Flock Church in Appanoose County. The couple settled and raised their children on the family farm south of Belle Plaine.

Reta was a loving and supportive mom, an excellent cook, and a wonderful homemaker. She was known for having a big garden with lots of fresh produce and making clothes or patching clothes for the boys. Reta loved playing sudoku and completing crosswords while watching talk shows or game shows on TV. She read the Gazette newspaper daily and enjoyed soap operas during the day. She would never pass on a root beer float or bowl of ice cream. She hated taking pictures, but would always say, "CHEESE!" just as the photographer snapped the picture. She had a warm and caring heart, a gentle demeanor, jokes that made your stomach ache, and a laugh that was contagious.

Reta is survived by son, Eric (Sara) Root of Hartwick, IA; grandchildren, Kathryn and Sadie; sister, Karen Clark of Springfield, MO; brother, Curt (Karen) Seeley of Centerville, IA; special nieces and nephews, Jill (Bob) Andrews, Jody (Mauro) Vaisman, Shelley (Rick) Evers, Troy (Jody) Seeley, Scott (Paige) Nett, Cindy Root and Marcy Morrow.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Chad; husband, Lyle; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Marvin & Sylvia Root; sister-in-law, Marge Nett, as well as many other loved ones.

Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Monday, July 22, 2024 at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Belle Plaine. Private family burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com