Wenner, Joe
Biography
Joe Wenner was born in Russia in 1904 and immigrated to the U.S. with his parents, three brothers, and one sister in 1906. The Jewish family settled in Kansas City, Missouri, where another sibling was born. In 1923, Joe graduated with a degree in pharmacy from what became the University of Missouri. Joe and his brother Barney, who was not a pharmacist, purchased and sold a series of drug stores in several cities in Missouri. In 1930, Joe married Ann Sheftel, moved to Boonville, Missouri, and purchased another store, what became Wenner Drug. Joe and Ann had two sons, Gordon and Stephen. In 1941, the family moved to Denver so that Ann could be closer to her family, who had moved to Denver earlier to be a part of the large Jewish community. Joe opened another drug store, Werner Drug, on the corner of 8th and Broadway, across the street from Rickenbaugh Cadillac. Werner Drug featured a large soda fountain, and in addition to filling prescriptions, also sold cigarettes, cigars, toiletries, candy, film, and liquor. He also offered watches brought in by his brother Barney, as well as nurses uniforms, which were placed in the store on consignment. Joe ran Werner Drug until 1958, when he went into the nurses uniform business before retiring a few years later.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Joe and Naomi Sheftel 25th Wedding Anniversary, 1947 June
Members of the Sheftel and Kiesler families sit around a large dining table during the 25th wedding anniversary celebration of Joe and Naomie Sheftel. Identified in the photograph are Shirley Sheftel Wenner, Joe Sheftel, Naomi Sheftel, Raisie Kiesler Rifkin, Eddie Sheftel, Moe Lackner, Ann Wenner, Steven Wenner, Max Sheftel, Sheldon Sheftel, Fay Sheftel, Max Rifkin, Roger Sheftel, Dorothy Sheftel, Joe Wenner, Mickey Sheftel, Goldine Lackner, Gordon Wenner, Ann Sheftel, and Abe Sheftel.
Sheftel Family Portrait, 1931 April 20
Hyman and Toby Sheftel sit surrounded by their children and grandchildren for a portrait. Back row left to right, Joe Wenner, Joe Sheftel, Max Sheftel, Goldine Lackner, Eddie Sheftel, Sarah Gallanter, Abe Sheftel, and Sam Sheftel. Middle row left to right Ann Wenner, Naomi Sheftel, Ann Sheftel, Hyman Sheftel, Toby Sheftel, Fay Sheftel, and Clara Sheftel. Front row left to right Mickey Sheftel, Shirley Sheftel, and Jerry Sheftel.