Many "Sweet Seasons" for Marlene Zimmel Bettin

True to that old adage “Better late than never,” here is a quick review of my life these past years. After marrying Harry Bettin (from Millerville) 37 years ago, we lived, worked and played in a variety of places - the Cities, St. Cloud, Des Moines, New York, New Jersey, Rochester, Minn. and then full circle back to Alexandria, 10 years ago. Harry worked for IBM for 30 years and thus the moves. Lots of adventures, meeting people, making friends, and great memories.
Our dreams had always been to come back home some day to “retire” on the lake. NOT! We got the lake part right – we live on Lake Cowdry, but we are having too much fun to think about retiring just yet. I became a business owner and Harry started his second career at Brenton Engineering as their MIS manager.
SWEET SEASONS gifts and antiques shop has been my passion for the past eight years – and still going strong! Started with a small gift shop near Bug-a-Boo Bay restaurant, and added a second store five years ago on Broadway near Travelers Inn. I sold the lakes store last year to concentrate on the downtown business. But if the truth was really to be told -- it was to be able to spend time with my four grandkids (and a fifth coming this Fall)!
We have three grown children. Our son, Bill, his wife, Stephanie, and Quinten 2 ½ and Jackson 9 months, live in Maryland. Bill is a Major in the Army - in preventive medicine with the specialty of environmental engineering. Molly, and her husband Jeff, and 1 year old Logan (and baby due in Nov) are on a three-year assignment in Guam. Both are family practice physicians. Molly will finish her Navy tour next summer and then back to the States. Michelle is in Minneapolis, a family therapist and program supervisor at Washburn Child Guidance Center– and the closest to Alexandria, so we are very thankful that we see our granddaughter, Morgan, 5 ½, frequently!
What a ride so far -- with more fun and excitement ahead! Looking forward to seeing many of our classmates at the reunion on August 6. When in Alexandria, stop in to SWEET SEASONS and say Hi! Would love to see you!
Marlene Zimmel Bettin