Tresa (Haynes) Garr
Rosemount, MN

Update for 55th reunion – We have made a few changes since we saw you last. We sold the 4-level house where our kids were raised in favor of a newer 3-level townhome that requires less maintenance and yard work.

My husband Bill retired in 2023. A couple months later, I decided to stop working in the store at Mall of America. I still do artwork and events for the Laundry Guy. Just seemed like it was time to stop closing the store alone.

Now, I work for our grandchildren. I get Brady, the 8 year old, on the school bus each morning and then spend the remainder of the day singing songs, practicing alphabet and numbers or watching Bluey and Ms Rachel on TV with his 18 month old sister, Olivia.

I continue to dabble in all medias of artwork. I have a group of friends who enjoy live theatre, wine tasting and concerts.

Bill and I continue traveling as much as possible. Since our last reunion, we’ve been to New Orleans, Washington DC, Riviera Maya, Arizona, Punta Cana, Puerto Morelos, San Francisco and took a cruise to Key West and Freeport, Bahamas. We enjoyed the cruise so much that we are taking the kids on a cruise to Nassau in January.

Pat and Mike Barker visited us in Minnesota last year for a fun filled weekend. And now, I’m about to fly down to Branson to meet Jo Lopez for a visit with Karen Krause! Deb Andrews has been so gracious to let me visit her and Gus several times. I’m meeting two of my cousins in Clear Lake to see a Beatles tribute band at the Surf in May.

It’s been great fun to get reacquainted with so many classmates and their spouses. No matter where I live, Iowa will always feel like home.

From 50+1 reunion – I just realized that I’ve lived in Minnesota for 42 years. Bill and I have been married 40 years. Both of our kids are married to wonderful people. Our daughter has given us a terrific grandson (also known as my adventure buddy on Facebook.)

I’m semi-retired now, but I keep adding new ventures to my resumé. Most recently I was hired as the assistant to The Laundry Guy on the HGTV series! I also work at a boutique in Mall of America and do a good portion of their window designs and social media management. I always wanted to design store windows in New York and now I do it at the largest mall in the U.S. It’s a good life.

Bill and I take at least one luxury vacation each year. Our health is good and our children successful and happy.  I like it here, but Minnesota will never be my home…I’ll always be an Iowan.

Cheers to 50 years!

Tresa