15 Feb 2019 - Karen & Jim's 50th Wedding Anniversary

15 Feb 2019

Today is my sister Karen's 50th wedding anniversary!  15 Feb 1969.  That is quite an accomplishment, especially in today's world.  Jim, her husband  is a couple years older than she is.  Jim was a student at Morningside College in Sioux City IA and joined the Navy.  This was during Vietnam so things were pretty dicey back then.  Karen was a student at University of Northern Iowa.  They got married in DeWitt IA which is north of Davenport and west of Clinton where we lived.  I was 13 years old at the time.

They moved to California where Jim served in the Navy until they moved to Bremerton WA where he also served.  When he headed out on his final tour at sea. Karen moved back to Iowa.  I flew out to WA and rode back with her.  After Jim was discharged from active duty her served in the Navy Reserve in Waterloo IA for several years.  My dad had been promoted to Captain in the Iowa State Patrol so we had moved to Cedar Falls by then.  I was in high school and then I left for the Air Force days after graduating. 

So Karen and Jim lived in Waterloo and Independence IA area  before moving to Illinois where they worked for Eastern Illinois University.  After retirement they moved to Mercedes TX where they live now, here in Llano Grande Resort.

Many of Karen and Jim's friends traveled to Mercedes TX to help them celebrate.  They had people here from Illinois, Colorado, Utah and Iowa, plus hundreds of the residents here in the resort. 

Their 50th celebration consisted of an open house from 2-4pm at the resort rec hall. 

Beautiful and delicious cupcakes were served

Sandwich and veggie finger food 

Jim with Sandee and Gene, out of town friends

One-man band played during the open house

A slide show highlighted their years together

Many of their Llano Grande friends stopped by

Doreen talking with Tim Ott from Utah.

After the open house, Karen and Jim and their out of town guests went out to eat at a local Italian restaurant. 

Then back to the rec hall for a dance from 7-10pm.  Music was provided by 'The Agency', a local band and they really cranked the tunes. 

Karen's high school bestie from DeWitt and her Maid of Honor Phyllis Zerull and her husband from Illinois

Sandee and Gene from Iowa

It was a great day and we wish Karen and Jim the happiest 50th wedding anniversary and many more to come!  We are so glad we were able to attend!