Tag Archives: Gretchen Hess

Family Shoes: A Walk Through Generations of the Hess family shoes (1940’s through the 1970’s)

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I think this photo was taken at the 1967 World Expo in in Montréal, Canada,

I remember being a little girl sitting on the swing set in my backyard on Harbrooke Ave. in Ann Arbor. As I slowly pushed myself back and forth on the swing, I looked down in wonder and delight at my shoes. They were sandals with a giant flower decoration and they are still possibly my favorite shoes ever…

I was also greatly influenced to love shoes by the story of Cinderella- I always enjoy these quotes:

“Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life.”

“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world. Just look at Cinderella!”

“Cinderella never asked for a prince. She asked for a night off and a dress. And maybe, just maybe, a great pair of shoes.”

The history of shoes has certainly changed over the course of my 70 years on the planet. This blog is just a fun way to celebrate some of the shoes we wore.

So…get ready to tap your foot and read a fun blog while walking down memory lane with me.

This photo of Gretchen Lois Ream Hess was taken in approx. 1940. As I study this photo, I realize that I could easily dress just like her even now in 2024! The anklet socks worn with the loafers were a classic combination.
AI has estimated that the date of this photo is 1942. Mom would have been 17 years old. The location was 520 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI. Gretchen Ream Hess is wearing a pair of modest shoes that seem to reflect this time era as the Great Depression was just ending.
A photo of Robert Lawrence Hess on his 1st day at the University of Michigan. This would have been in 1942. Look how spiffy he is in this outfit paired with classic shoes.
Look at these beautiful two toned shoes my mother is wearing in 1944.
A photo of my Uncle Robert Emerson Ream with my mother Gretchen Ream Hess. AI dates this photo as 1945 – so maybe just at the very end of WWII. I notice that Uncle Bob’s shoes are not the shiny patent leather but some much more practical leather. Mom’s shoes are adorable with the little open toe and a cute bow.
I am in love with Madalyn’s gorgeous heels!
Mom is probably visiting Dad at Midshipman School. When did she get a fur coat? Was it possibly from Aunt Babe? What are your ideas? The boots actually look very stylish. I date this photo at approx. 1945.
My stunning mother. Look at these beautiful shoes! I believe this photo is from her honeymoon in December of 1945.
I am dating this photo at approx. 1948. Mom is sitting on a park bench with a friend. I believe this is from Mom’s young married days in Bethlehem, PA. So – what amazing sling back shoes…right?
An amazing photo of Mom from approx. 1950. Everything about this outfit is WONDERFUL.
Mary Ann is wearing the quintessential baby shoes of the 1950’s. These shoes may be the ones that Mom had bronzed later as a memory. Also…did toddlers really get to wear a string of pearls? I love the knit dress.
A chance to see 4 generations of my family and the shoes we all had on. Precious!
Mary Ann with 3 candles in the birthday cake. Look at her pretty patent leather Mary Jane shoes with a type of dress that required a “stick out slip” to hold the skirt in place.
Bonus photo that shows my leather tie up shoes and my rubber boots. The funny thing is that the shoes were worn inside the boots back in those days. WOW…
I bet we are all laughing at this photo! Mary Ann’s shoes were passed down and were a classic style for little girls of the 1950’s. I seem to have some pretty swell slippers. March 1, 1956.
I am sporting red tennis shoes. I feel like I still have a memory of them. Chrissy White is between me and Mary Ann. My mother, Gretchen, is on the far right and is pregnant with Kathryn. This photo was taken in 1957.
Here we are in our Easter dresses. Linda Claire, Kathryn Sue, and Mary Ann. Kathryn has the standard toddler shoes and Mary Ann and I are wearing patent leather shoes. Remember that dresses from this era were made with only natural fibers (no polyester yet) so they had to all be carefully ironed. Date estimate 1958.
This photo is proof that flip flops have been around for a long time. I always smile when I look at this picture- the foreshadowing of me being afraid of heights and nervously grabbing my father’s slacks. Mary Ann looks confident and Kathryn is just busy playing with the sand. Photo possibly in late 1958 or early 1959.
I am the mountain climber – an alpine German yodeler and Mary Ann is the little dutch girl in wooden shoes. The shoes I am wearing appear over and over in our family photographs. I think that we must have kept getting the same shoes in a different size. Back in 1959 we owned only a couple pairs of shoes each and frequently took them to the cobbler in Nichols Arcade to be repaired. Yes, we did have wooden shoes. They were kept in the dress up chest.
This photo also has me laughing. Kathryn looks at Santa so lovingly and Mary Ann is also happy as can be. But, look at me…not sure at all about this guy! LOL. Also, until this blog, I never realized that Kathryn is wearing the hand me down boots from the earlier photo of me asleep on the floor in my snow suit. Again, these types of boots were worn with our shoes inside. In order to put the boots on, we first covered our shoes in plastic bread bags to help them slip on. Christmas 1959.
What a hoot. At least Mary Ann has the pretty smile. My smile is a little over the top and Kathryn looks quite displeased that the cake is obviously not hers. Kathryn is wearing the recycled pair of red shoes that appear over and over in these photographs. We are with Bones and Madalyn at their home in March of 1960.
Apparently Kathryn is being smooshed between her sisters. Mom liked to dress us in similar styles. I see that we all are wearing identical pairs of blue sneakers. Photo 1961.
It looks like Kathryn is wearing our hand me down black patent leather shoes. Photo circa 1962. Aunt Babe possibly actually sewed this coat- her occupation was as a seamstress.
In 1962 we seem to be wearing some quite lovely summer sandals. In this photo we are pictured with a Canadian dignitary. Kathryn…why are you wearing socks?
I love looking at the shoe fashions in this 1964 photo of the Silver Anniversary party for Madalyn and Bones. The photo was taken at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor. Grandma Pet (Amelia Ream) is seated in the orange chair on the front right of the photo.
I love this photo of Kathryn for a hundred reasons. Check out her amazing cowgirl boots! Yee Haw! Photo circa 1965.
A photo from my 1970 European vacation with Dad. I am wearing a “stretch and sew” dress made by Mom. This was the start of polyester. I think my sandals are pretty cute!
We definitely had hiking boots and did plenty of nature walks as a family. Photo circa 1971.
Mom and Dad are also wearing practical walking type shoes in this 1971 photo.
Jack is wearing the Earth Shoes that became kind of an obsession for all of us in this 1972 time period.
Mom looks so lovely in the back garden at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor. Fantastic shoes…right?
I know. I know. I haven’t changed a bit. LOL. This is in front of Waterman Residence in my 1970’s college days. Pretty borrowed dress and shoes.
Can you tell that Bones is wearing the classic rubbers over his shoes. This was the classic winter style for men at that time.
Christmas c1975. Mary Ann is wearing a beautiful smile and some great wedge shoes.
I am on my honeymoon in 1977 wearing my wonderful Earth Shoe sandals.

Gretchen Ream and Robert Hess – 1945

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FEBRUARY 1945

Robert and Gretchen wedding announcement Feb. 1945

On 14 Feb 1945, Robert Hess proposed to Gretchen Ream. Gretchen was 19 years old. Robert was 20 years old. As the article above states, Robert was a V-12 trainee in the University of Michigan Engineering School. The date of Robert’s entry into active service had been 1 July 1943. Gretchen and Robert had met in 1943, so they actually waited to become engaged. In 1943, Robert’s residence was at 426 Hamilton Place, Ann Arbor, MI and Gretchen lived with her mother at 520 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor.

At the time of their engagement, our country was still involved in WWII which we had entered the war in December 1941 after Pearl Harbor. In 1945, Gretchen was a secretary for Economy Baler Co.

APRIL 1945

On 1 April 1945, Easter Sunday, the photo below was taken of Gretchen and Robert having fun with a bike and a wagon. It was one of Robert’s favorite photographs.

with text Gretchen and Bob Wagon Easter Parade 1945

On 10 April 1945, Gretchen’s brother Robert Ream received a Purple Heart after his leg injury.

On 13 Apr 1945, Gretchen and Robert attended the Slide Rule Ball at the Michigan Union. She saved her dance card, autographed by the entertainer Louis Prima and his band.

Senior Ball 1945 Robert and Gretchen Hess (1)

On 21 April 1945, Robert and his brother George Hess graduate from the University of Michigan with honors.

1945 Engineering

MAY 1945

10 May 1945 – this article is about Gretchen’s brother, Robert Ream who was receiving the Oak Cluster.

Robert Ream news article wounded twice

 

On 2 November 1945, Robert Hess was appointed an Ensign in the US Navy.

Midshipman Graduation

Robert Hess served as Junior Division officer, main engines division, on a heavy cruiser at sea and later as auxiliary Division officer on a pair of light escort carriers.

On 30 November 1945 and 8 December 1945, Helen Mayer (Gretchen’s Aunt) hosted bridal showers.

Bridal Shower

On 15 December 1945, Gretchen and Robert were wed.

Invitation to wedding of Robert and Gretchen 12.15.1945

Robert and Gretchen Hess Dec 1945 wedding cake

On 16 Dec 1945, Robert and Gretchen began their honeymoon. I am fairly sure that their residence was 719 Oakland Ave., Ann Arbor, MI (see 1947 Ann Arbor Directory below- note that in 1947 George and Ruth Hess lived at 1107 Oakland Ave.)

719 Oakland