Chareta Reta (Bradford) Mandel, 66, lost her struggle with cancer May 24, 2014, at a Des Moines hospice. A registered nurse for more than 40 years, she recently retired from the VA medical center in Des Moines. Reta was the daughter of Charles and Anne (Kuchera) Bradford of Belle Plaine, Iowa. She is survived by her husband Michael, a retired Army officer, sisters Charlene Hurt and Jayne Peremsky, daughters Ann Bell and Erin Fjellanger, grandson Holden Bell and granddaughter Avery Fjellanger. Reta will be interred at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at JDRF Greater Iowa Chapter, 3580 EP True Parkway, Suite 101, West Des Moines, IA 50265.