The Early Years
Carlton Dehner (right) mingles with employees
It began in Kansas.
The boots that would grow to be known worldwide for their incredible fit and fantastic look had their beginnings in 1875 in the small town of Junction City, Kansas.
It was there, in a small German shoe repair shop, that Carlton C. Dehner first noticed a pair of boots sitting in the back room. Dehner was so taken by the quality and workmanship of the boots he asked, “Why don’t we put in a factory and make these more available?” John Teitzel, the cobbler who owned the small store, was open to the idea and so the Dehner boot line began.
Teitzel was not much of a business man, and at that time Dehner had very little experience working with shoes, but the two formed a perfect partnership. Dehner would handle the business side of the operation, while Teitzel would continue to do what he did best: make boots! Within several weeks the materials and supplies needed to start such a venture began arriving at the store and the first pair of Teitzel & Dehner boots rolled out the doors.
Harold Ketzler
During the early years they were busy supplying custom-made boots for the cavalry officers nearby at Fort Riley. Military demand for quality footwear was high at the time and the Teitzel & Dehner boots were an instant hit.
Business was brisk, and in 1914 Teitzel and Dehner, looking for ways to expand the business, packed up and moved the factory to Wichita, Kansas. It was here that a man by the name of Schuyler Jones joined the team which then became known for a short while as Tietzel, Jones, & Dehner Company. Things soured, however, when Tietzel passed away 1929.
Jones and Dehner did not agree on many issues and during that same year, Carlton Dehner sold his shares in the company to Jones and moved to Omaha. Dehner did not move alone, however, as seven factory employees (half the staff at that time) and his son-in-law Harold Ketzler moved along with him. Dehner first set up shop in a building owned by his brother which was also being used for the creation of artificial limbs. It was here that The Dehner Company, which still is running strong today, was first born.
Francis Thompson worked for The Dehner Company for over 70 years
It was also during this time that Donovan (Van) Ketzler, Harold Ketzler’s son and future president of The Dehner Company, first began to work part-time in the factory. Although he was only twelve, he picked up the trade very fast. He was taught to sew and stitch by Francis Thompson, who was one of the original employees to move from Wichita to Omaha, and who remained with the company until his death in the late 1900’s. The first boots were shipped out of Omaha in November of 1930, and for 14 years Dehner and his team remained the building he shared with his brother (1114-16 Farnham Street). As the Dehner name grew expansion was needed yet again and in 1944 Dehner and Ketzler packed up their crew and moved to a new location at 2059 Farnam Street in Omaha. Carlton Dehner passed away not long after and Ketzler took full control of the company.
After Harold Ketzler’s death in 1971, Donovan Ketzler took on the role of president and continued in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him. It was also during this time that Jeff Ketzler, Donovan’s son and current Dehner president, also began working in the factory.
The Dehner Company remained at their Farnam St. location 38 years before moving to their current facilities at 3614 Martha St. in Omaha. To this day, thousands of boots are crafted every year and shipped out worldwide to eager customers, yearning for the fast-disappearing design and feel of custom-made boots and shoes.
“We have made some changes in the old ways”, Donvan Ketzler said during an interview in 1997. “But the changes were never things that would compromise quality.”
We want to hear from you! Submit your old photos or stories about Dehner products to info@dehner.com and see them published here!
Classic Dehner Ads
Most were published prior to 1950, some may even date back to the early 1900’s!
Early Dehner Photos
Early 80’s Dehner Video
An informative video on how a Dehner boot comes to be from the first cut to the final polish. Originally produced around 1984 and narrated by Dave Webber of Omaha.
Dehner Stories and Reflections
More than just testimonials, these are the Dehner reflections and memories of our loyal customers. This section is always a work in progress so send us your stories today!
My Dehner Boots: Then & Now
My Dehner Boots: Then & Now
Submitted by CPT Brian Chatham
As a young lieutenant serving in the Cavalry in Europe in the late ’80s, I first became aware of Dehner boots when our new squadron commander took command. He wore a pair of spit-shined tanker boots from day-one. In talking with him, I learned that these boots are a prestigious item for Cavalrymen in the Army. I decided that when my current boots wore-out, I would get me a pair of Dehners.
When I was selected to command a tank company a couple of years later, I immediately wrote to the Dehner Boot Company for a catalog and a ‘kit’ to measure the shape and size of my feet. I selected a pair of 14″ tall Trooper boots. After they arrived from Nebraska, I wore them everyday during my command of the “Charlie Cougars”, 1-66AR, and subsequently, as commander of Headquarters Company.
The Trooper Boots were so well-made and comfortable, that I ordered a pair of 14″ Trooper “Field Boots”. It just didn’t feel right switching from my Dehners to ‘regular’ boots when moving from garrison to the field. I didn’t see them listed on your web site, but they were identical to my “dress” Trooper Boots with the addition of a weatherproofing solution added to the leather to help it stand-up to the harsh conditions in the field. Like my previous pair, they fit like a second skin and were very comfortable. Both pairs of boots were very distinctive and they were often the topic of many questions, comments, and conversations from fellow soldiers who wanted to know more about them.
The photo you see here is of me wearing my Trooper Boots at Fort Hood, standing next to my HMMWV (Hummer). You can clearly see the unit designations on the front fenders (2nd Armored Division, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor, HQ6A). I wish I had a better picture that would better-show your fine product. Sadly, I made the mistake of selling my “dress” Trooper Boots to an eager, young Lieutenant prior to leaving the Army in 1993. However, I still have my field boots and wear them when working ‘tough’ jobs outside and around my house. They are almost 20 years old and they still look and feel great!
Thanks for an amazing product!
Boots In Space
Dehner Travels Out of this World
So you think you have put a lot of miles on your Dehner boots?
Did Commander Alan B. Shepard wear Dehner boots during the first manned space flight? Photos seem to confirm this.
The Dehner Company prides itself on the durability and life of their boots, but did you know that Dehner boots have been used on space flights and in astronaut training since the early sixties?
In June 1959, B.F. Goodrich ordered eight pairs of Dehner boots at around $41.00 a pair, and another order followed in March of 1960. B.F. Goodrich, along with The David Clark Company, were heading up the production of space suits for “Project Mercury”, which was the United States’ first human space flight program.
At first it was unknown why exactly the boots were being ordered, but after H.K. Siewers, a research specialist for Strategic Air Command (SAC), checked with his sources at Project Mercury it was determined that the boots were in fact ordered for the astronauts. But were these boots ordered for casual wear or was the Dehner name forever going to be attatched to the first manned space flight?
Although to this day no official word has ever been given as to which boot was worn during those first flights in space, many of the photos (such as the one to the right) seem to point towards Dehner. However, other companies did make boots for the Mercury Project which means without official confirmation it may never be known for sure.
In June 1959, B.F. Goodrich ordered eight pairs of Dehner boots at around $41.00 a pair, and another order followed in March of 1960. B.F. Goodrich, along with The David Clark Company, were heading up the production of space suits for “Project Mercury”, which was the United States’ first human space flight program.
At first it was unknown why exactly the boots were being ordered, but after H.K. Siewers, a research specialist for Strategic Air Command (SAC), checked with his sources at Project Mercury it was determined that the boots were in fact ordered for the astronauts. But were these boots ordered for casual wear or was the Dehner name forever going to be attatched to the first manned space flight?
The first boots designed for U.S. astronauts
Although to this day no official word has ever been given as to which boot was worn during those first flights in space, many of the photos (such as the one to the right) seem to point towards Dehner. However, other companies did make boots for the Mercury Project which means without official confirmation it may never be known for sure.