There are countless love stories about World War II sweethearts. Couples enduring distance, economic hardship, and an overwhelming sense of the unknown. Handwritten letters full of vulnerability and hope back up many of these stories, making them even more emotive. This beautiful, innovative short story about my husband, Tim’s, aunt Edna and her wartime sweetheart, Palmer, is no different.
This story comes from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Last fall, they accepted a unique donation from Tim’s cousin Sandee of a bridesmaid’s dress her mother, Edna Lange, used at her wedding to Palmer. Edna was the older sister to Tim’s mother Helen Reinecke Meydam. This Facebook post tells the story about Sandee’s donation and Edna’s experience best. Read it here!
Thanks to Helen Meydam for identifying everyone in the picture above! L to R: Helen Reinecke (Meydam), Bernice Weber Gums, Genevieve Gums (Bennett), Edna Lange Gums (bride), Palmer Gums (groom), Selma Lange Bielke, Willard Gums.
View part of the Reinecke family tree here. Thank you to Sandee O’Connell for sharing her family’s story!
Photo Credit:
The Family Records of Sandee O’Connell
