Retired
Spouse: Robert Reed
1 Child
2 Grandchildren
Information update: 4/7/11

Mary Carlson Reed - The Twin of Larry Carlson - The Past Fifty Years

Upon high school graduation in 1961:
- Went to UMD, taking one year off to travel/serve with a Gospel team.
- Graduated from UMD in 1966.
- Following college graduation, moved to the Twin Cities to go to graduate school at U of M majoring in Communications.
- While a student, taught (as a teaching associate) public speaking, writing and discussion/listening.
- Married to Robert Reed in July 1968. Went to Europe for our honeymoon.
- Our son, Scott, was born in September of 1969.
- Was employed as a social worker for the city of Minneapolis-case load of 400 women (could tell many "interesting" stories).
- Moved to Bethel College (now Bethel University) to teach public speaking.
- Then to Northwestern College for five years teaching public address. I also edited students' papers and tutored students who needed additional help.
- Changed fields to Human Resources at a Twin City Hospital; while there hired staff and taught classes dealing with "how to interview legally." Was asked to move to a new Information Systems Department and continue to do training and development.
- Moved to the Information Systems area at the Minnesota Department of Revenue where I set up training programs and managed documentation writing for a new computer system. I also taught a variety of other classes.
- Took early retirement two and a half years after my husband retired. Thus ends the resume'!

In conclusion: We've been involved in our church over the years (which is where I met Robert, my husband). We both traveled to the Philippines serving with work teams from our church at an orphanage in Cebu. Other travels to Europe (a trip to Norway is being planned) and many places in the U.S. have been our destinations. These include the North Shore, which we love.

We are fortunate to have a family that is delightful. Our son, Scott, and his wife, Anne, are special! Plus, it is hard to express our joy in our granddaughters, Megan, 12 years and Ali (Alicia), 8 years. We've had some struggles over these 50 years. Scott had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which he outgrew. I've had ovarian cancer and Robert had a heart attack. Robert also has rheumatoid arthritis, which is well managed by medication. But our lives have been good. We have gained many friends over the years.

This is not meant to elicit thoughts of Garrison Keilor's city of "Woe be gone," but simply to state that we are "normal" ("or boring?"). It has been a 50-year journey with ups and downs. I hope that some of you experienced the same. I look forward to our 50-year celebration.