Colette Jordan, age 72, joined Weinbrenner Shoe Company in the sewing room right out of high school and has been working there for nearly 55 years. On Friday, June 25, she will retire from the Marshfield factory and the company will hold a farewell celebration for her at 11:30 a.m. to celebrate her years of dedicated service. She will have been employed with the company for 54 years and 257 days and throughout the years has worked in various departments, primarily sewing Thorogood boots, the company said, but along the way learning the nearly 125 steps in the shoemaking process.
“I’m really going to miss all of my co-workers and sewing. I’ve been doing it for so long,” Jordan said. “I plan to work on my flowers and other projects that I haven’t had time for. I’m also looking forward to spending time with my grandchildren and my first great-grandchild that is due in July.”
Weinbrenner Shoe Company was founded in Wisconsin in 1892 in Milwaukee and currrently has its headquarters in Merrill. The Thorogood brand, established in 1917, represents Weinbrenner’s premier line of job-fitted occupational footwear. Thorogood is an industry leader in boots for the working trades; including industrial safety, fire, rescue, military, tactical, uniform and outdoor footwear.