Celebration of Life

We held Renee's Celebration on Friday, July 19, 2024 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in the Tea Room at the Snyder building. Renee absolutely loved the Arboretum - especially the Rose Garden. She always wanted for us to have a memorial there when the roses are in bloom. The day was perfect and we had a chance to reminisce about Renee and then people spent time walking around the gardens.

Renee and I went to the Arboretum several times every year for 20 years and we have lots of pictures and experiences out there.

Why July 19th?

• July 19th is our Anniversary

• The roses don't bloom until the end of June so by the 19th of July; this turned out to be perfect as all the roses were in bloom.

This was a happy event reminiscing about what an awesome person Renee was.

Thoughts and Memories

A lot of people shared their thoughts, memories, and stories about Renee and it was wonderful hearing everything people said.

Remembering Renee in your Garden

Yellow roses were special to us as our relationship was founded in friendship. We just loved being with each other, exploring life, loving family, and growing together.

If you'd like to put yellow roses in your garden as a way to remember Renee, we'd like to send your family a Julia Child Floribunda Rose Plant. (see specs at https://www.gurneys.com/product/julia-child-floribunda-rose)

If you're not inclined, that's fine, too. Some people don't have green thumbs, some have nowhere to grow them where they live, or roses just aren't your thing.

If you'd like one sent to you, please fill in the form below. Note that getting these is seasonal so depending on when you ask, it may take a little while.

Irene Eastman Bench

Irene was a knitting friend who had a fabulous sense of humor and kept everyone laughing. Her family placed a bench near the Coy pond and we always stopped by to say "Hi" to Irene and remember what a great person she was. ("baaaad chicken")

Visit the Arboretum

The arboretum is located at:

3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318 (click to get map)
612-624-2200
https://arboretum.umn.edu

Depending on when you go you may have to pre-register your visit (usually F-Su). Check online. It's a beautiful place and the flowers change based on the growing times of different plants. It's worth going out there a couple times a year and if that's your plan, a membership is definitely the way to go.