Loretta Marie Anderson, 87 of Cabool, MO passed from this world on the rainy morning of August 14, 2024 at her home.  She was born on April 29, 1937 to Harmon and Hazel (Morgan) McCart on the family farm near Willow Springs, MO.

Loretta became a military wife when she married W.E. "Bill" Anderson on May 25, 1953.  They were stationed in Kansas, England, Germany, Georgia, Missouri, Goose Bay-Labrador, Washington and Guam where they retired in 1971 and moved back to their farm they bought sight unseen in 1954.  Together they milked Holstein cows and later switched to raising beef cattle.

Loretta's farm was her happy place where she kept busy with her cattle and fixing fence.  She enjoyed raising her garden, planting her sunflowers, feeding hummingbirds, playing with her Scottish terriers and wheeling around on her four wheeler.  She also enjoyed driving the tractor and using her chainsaw, much to her family's dismay.

Grandma Reta adored her grandchildren whom she spoiled rotten; fixing them pretty plates, baby sitting them, keeping their secrets and teaching them how to drive a tractor.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; brothers, Emmett and Junior McCart; grandson, Aaron Michael Smart and great grandson, Ian Daniel Smart.  The Queen of her family leaves behind her son, Kevin and his wife, Dr. Máiréad Ryan-Anderson; daughter, Kathleen Smart and husband, Melvin; grandsons, Nathan Smart and wife, Clarissa and Dr. Ciárán and Diarmait Ryan-Anderson; great grandson, Matthew Smart and fiancé, Tonya Nicolosi; great granddaughter, Nicole Smart; her sisters, Virginia Anderson and Mary Evelyn Cauldwell and many nieces and nephews.  She will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.