From very little on, my grandmother, Ruby Viola Hanneman, had a beauty that radiated in the many photographs taken of her. Her grandchildren no doubt recall the housecoat-type of outfits she often wore around the house. But make no mistake, Ruby was a fashion icon in her day. Our photo gallery bears ample testimony. 

My grandparents were anything but wealthy. They worked hard to provide a middle-class home to their three children, Donn, David (my Dad) and Lavonne. Grandpa Carl F. Hanneman was a pharmacist at the Hess clinic and hospital. As we detailed in another post, he wrote to the attorney general of Wisconsin for help in upgrading his pharmacist license so he could better care for his family.

Regardless of the family’s financial circumstances, the Hanneman children were always dressed in nice clothing. Carl had nice suits for work and Sunday Mass. If you met Ruby at a family event, you might think she descended from royalty. Actually, there was a longstanding family yarn that said the Treutel family from which Ruby came was from a royal line in Europe. I’m still researching that one. Nevertheless, Ruby was always sharply dressed. The main photo above shows her in a Life Magazine pose during a 1950s trip out West. Classic stuff.

Far be it for me to offer detailed commentary on women’s fashion, but I am struck by Ruby’s fashion sense as shown in the photo gallery below. Dresses, hats, gloves, shoes and coats, nicely coordinated. This was evident at different events, from weddings to the common Sunday visit to family and extended family in the Wisconsin Rapids area. So many decades later, these photos are a real treat, although also reminders of the hole in our lives left by the absence of loved ones like Dad (1933-2007) and Grandma Ruby (1904-1977).

I am quite tickled that my youngest daughter, not coincidentally named Ruby, is also very interested in fashion and interior decorating, just like her great grandma. I marvel at her discussions of colors, styles and fabrics — things I know little about. One thing is for sure: Ruby V. Hanneman is no doubt pleased to look down and see Ruby E. Hanneman, a young lady after her own heart.

©2015 The Hanneman Archive

Taken in the late 1950s on a trip to Arizona, this photo of Ruby Hanneman is worthy of Life Magazine.

Ruby V. Hanneman during a visit to La Crosse, Wis., in the 1950s.

Ruby Hanneman and daughter Lavonne at Viterbo College in the late 1950s.

Ruby Hanneman and daughter Lavonne before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the campus of Viterbo College.

Ruby Hanneman (left) with sister-in-law Irma and brother-in-law Wilbert G. Hanneman.

High school senior Ruby (Treutel) Hanneman dressed for her part in “The Fire Prince.”

Ruby Treutel with her mother, Mary Treutel, taken in 1924 at Vesper, Wis.

Ruby ( far right) with husband Carl (far left) at a dinner event in the 1940s.

Ruby Treutel on a pier at Lake Michigan.

Ruby Hanneman (center) with daughter-in-law Mary K. Hanneman and daughter Lavonne.

Ruby V. Hanneman with daughter-in-law Mary K. Hanneman.

Ruby Hanneman seated next to the family home in Mauston, Wisconsin.

Ruby Hanneman and young daughter Lavonne at home in Mauston in the mid-1940s.

Ruby Hanneman with son David and daughter Lavonne (next to the rope) at Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Carl and Ruby Hanneman (left) at a Knights of Columbus event in the early 1940s.

Ruby Treutel (in back) with brother Marvin and sisters Elaine and Nina.

Ruby Hannemanin the cat-eye shades at a Mulqueen family wedding at Cudahy, Wisconsin.

Ruby Hanneman at Vesper, Wisconsin in the late 1920s.

Ruby Treutel and younger sister Elaine at Solomon Juneau Park in Milwaukee in 1924.

Ruby V. Hanneman, circa 1950.

Carl and Ruby Hanneman on their 25th wedding anniversary in July 1950.

Ruby and Lavonne Hanneman at home in Mauston.

Ruby (Treutel) Hanneman on her wedding day, July 14, 1925.