Rita Clair Peterson

Rita Peterson, 92, passed away at her home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. on October 30, 2016 after a long illness. She was born March 14, 1924 on a dairy farm in Hudson Wisconsin to Mark and Frances Loughney. Rita grew up on the farm and was the oldest of seven children. Rita attended Hudson High School. After high school she enlisted in the U.S Navy during WWII and was stationed at Hunter College in Washington DC. After returning home she went to work in St. Paul Minn. and later was called back into service during the Korean War. While stationed at March AFB where she played on the woman's basketball team, she met her husband Bob and they were married on Valentine's Day and have been married for 63 years. After their marriage they moved to Naperville Ill. for five years. Then to Rialto Calif. where she was active in her church Saint Catherine's of Siena. Later living in San Bernardino she was active at Holy Rosary Cathedral. She worked at Kaiser Hospital for 17 years then retired to Rancho Las Palmas Country Club, Rancho Mirage. She was very active at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband Bob, eight children, and 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. There will be a Rosary service, Wednesday, November 2, 2016,12:00 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Palm Desert followed by a 1:00 pm funeral Mass. Rita will always be remembered as a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother and for her strong Catholic Faith.