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Niemeier, Alice
| Last Name: | Niemeier |
|---|---|
| First Name: | Alice |
| Dates: |
*10.6.1923 (Date of Birth)
29.4.2019 (Date of Death)
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| Biography/History: | Alice Garlich was born June 10, 1923 and grew up on a farm in Pipestone County, Minnesota. As soon as she graduated from high school (1942), she moved to CA to work at a McDonnell aircraft factory as a Rosie the Riveter. She had a daughter Sandra from a first marriage (in California) that ended in divorce. On VJ Day (1945), Alice’s parents, Fred and Ella Garlich, were traveling through Missoula, MT when they heard of the war’s end. Fred figured that he was out of a job once men started returning from war, so the Garlichs moved to Spokane to join their son Walter, who was working for School District 81. Fred got a janitorial job at District 81. During the winter of 1947-48, Alice and daughter Sandra lived in Spokane with Fred and Ella Garlich. Wanting to be independent, Alice moved back to CA, but returned again to Spokane in 1950, and she worked for the Roy L. Bair Co. (road and bridge builders). In 1952 she married serviceman, Larry Niemeier. (She delights in the fact that she purchased her wedding hat for $3, and later saw the same hat in another store for $8.) Alice shopped for hats locally at The Crescent (“usually too expensive there”) and at Sybil’s Hat Shop on Wall or Howard St. (only $3 there). The Niemeiers lived first at Fairchild AFB, then were stationed at Moses Lake, Puerto Rico, Biloxi, Miss., Charleston, South Carolina (Alice worked in retail there for Sears & Roebuck), and back to Spokane. They bought a house at 204 W 22nd, and Alice and their second daughter Marlene stayed there while Larry was stationed in Thailand. For 2-3 years before and after Larry was overseas, Alice managed Fashion Fabrics store in Manito Shopping Center, 29th and Grand. She also worked off and on at The Crescent, selling children’s and men’s clothes. She sewed all her own clothes, as well as her daughters’ clothes, and while Larry was overseas, she took a high school night class in tailoring, in order to make a coat from cashmere fabric that Larry sent to her. After returning from Thailand, Larry re-enlisted, and the family rented out their Spokane home and moved to California for 3 years. Then, Larry retired, and they returned to Spokane. Larry went to carpentry school and was skilled, but never practiced the trade. He suffered from WWII PTSD and depression, and Alice stayed home with him after retirement. In 1985 he drowned in the river; she never knew whether by accident or suicide. Alice continues to be active in St. John’s Lutheran Church at 3rd and Division [the church has since moved] and with Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Her hat programs began when she was named mistress of ceremonies to honor past Missionary League presidents. She asked each past president to send her one of their hats, and at the convention, she modeled each one. As hats became less essential costume accessories, ladies started giving their hats to Alice. Word of her hat shows spread, and she has been giving hat shows for the past 20 years. |
| Related Objects: |
4186.3 (Hat, Feathered Hat, 1940s-1960s)
4186.4 (Hat, Ernabert Nelson's Pink Feathered Hat, 1940s-1950s)
4186.45 (Hat, Marie Hannemon's Zebra Fur Hat, circa 1960s)
4186.6 (Hat, Net and Feather Hat, 1940s-1960s)
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