Diary of Alfred E. Potter June, 1941

01.  Sunday: Up for 6 Oclock Mass, had a call to the drugstore at 7 A.M.  Rose Smith – Lawrence’s mother had a heart attack in as very ill.  Worked most of the day.  Attended childrens and graduates play at St. Vincents in the evening.  Took Mrs. Killilea and her daughter Lee back to Omro after the play.  Then back to work and got thru at 12.50 A.M.  Worked 11 hours total today.  Judge Hughes was in today.  He still takes Vitamins Plus.

02.  [RJXDK]

03.  Tuesday: [RMOXDK] Had a pleasant surprise today. Father Jos. Ahearn dropped in for a short visit at the store. His parish just completed a new school and community hall costing 196 000 dollars. Attended the South Side Business Mens Auxiliary Picnic at Morgans this evening. Thres won two prizes (Pot of Gold) 25 pennies and some doilies. Bill and Emma Siewert stop over at our house after the party. Our party ends up at 1.30 A.M. Gene Englund, Kenosha, outstanding U. of W. Basket Ball Player and Captain of the U.W. Champions signs at Oshkosh All Star Contract.

04.  Wednesday: [RJXDK] Father Sylvester Stern drops in today for short visit.  He tells me he’s getting to be quite a fisherman.  Brought down a mess of brook trout for Father Bastian.

05.  Thursday: [RAXDK] Donald serves early mass 6³⁰ for Father Stern.

06.  Friday: [RNXDK] First Friday – to church at 7⁰⁰ A.M.         Com.  Eugene Kandy

07.  Saturday: [RNXDK] Helen Mary Kriz is married to Joseph Robert Frank at St. Vincents Church at 8 Oclock this morning.  Reception at Eagles Hall tonight.  George Mertz and Aloys Mugerauer put in our dock at the cottage today.  It is an ideal day to do it.  I took Donald and Bobby Llewellyn out, they had a swim but say the water is somewhat cold.

08.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass with Holy Name Society, then to work.  Martin Koeck III is in to see me about a position in one of our stores.  Thres takes Leona Drexler to Riverside Cemetery this morning.  Thres – Aunt Mary – Mary Ann take in “Marie Arno Review” this afternoon at “The Little Theatre” Teachers College.       Com. Happy Hour of Death.

09.  [RJXDK]

10.  Tuesday: [RNXDK] Visited Grandma Baier; she was awaiting me, saying I did not visit her last Thursday when she was expecting me. Viewed the remains of Albert Kersche at Marquardt funeral home. The Weisheipls almost had a fire in their home. Anna left the electric flat iron on when she left for Club 41. Fortunately Marion stopped at the house about 10 P.M. discovered smoke in the house and shut off the electricity. The ironing board was burned to a crisp.

11.  Wednesday: [RMMXDK] Childrens School Picnic (St. Vincents) is held in the Gymnasium of the school instead of the South Park as had been planned.  Rain and cool weather prevail.  Donald and myself caulk our boat at the cottage.  I took the family and Aunt Mary to the Mode Theatre tonite.

12.  Thursday: [RNXDK] Darrell Mierswa, son of Otto Mierswa (druggist) is married to Ruth Stoik of Rice Lake.  The ceremony is performed by Father Anthony Knackert in St. Mary’s Rectory at Sheboygan Falls.  Both Darrell and his bride teach at the Sheboygan Falls Hi School.

13.  Friday: [RHXDK] Ed Weisheipl almost supplied some of his blood for a blood transfusion but his is not the right type.  He was to give it for (Tiny) Ed Gedtke’s cousin who was seriously injured when Tiny drove thru an arterial.

14.  Saturday: We have more rain today, this is the eighth day we have rain, and get this is quite a day for weddings.  Catherine Ackerman is married to Lewis Stini Jr.  Katherine and her brother were brought up by Frank and Mary (Stiller) Kriz after the death of their mother who used to be organist at St. Vincents years ago.  The marriage ceremony was at St. Vincents at 8 A.M.  Mr. Stini is employed at Fuhs Drug Store.  Took Joe and Anna Weisheipl to the Oshkosh Theatre.  Robert Taylor –Mary Howard start in “Billy the Kid.” Entertain them at Klimko’s Club 41 after the movie.  Home at 2 A.M.

15.  Sunday: To 730 Mass, Corpus Christi Procession is held after the Mass.  Father Vincent Putzer offers the mass.  He is here on a two weeks vacation.  He is to be assistant at Holy Cross Parish – Milwaukee.

16.  Monday: [RNXDK] Martin Koeck III begins working at our South Side Store.

17.  [RHXDK]

18.  Wednesday: [RNXDK] We move out to the Cottage today for the summer.  Mrs. Robl 1027 – 10^th St. dropped in for a visit at our house this morning.  Waited to see me at noon.  She is to scrub for us at the South Side Store, also for Dr. Ware (dentist).

19.  [RHXDK]

20.  Friday: [RNXDK] The Joe Weisheipl home 1224 – 6th Street is undergoing some radical changes.  Our old Axminster rug which we gave them to use in the living room will have to go.  This rock is seen about 30 years of service.  New rugs are contemplated one for the front room and the front room rug will be used in the living.  It will be a pleasant change for the family, especially Joe and Annie after almost 35 years of married life.  Leo Girens and Marion Weisheipl are scheduled for the work.

21.  Saturday:  [RNXDK] We surely are in a heat wave, temperature is 94° and not much breeze.  Took the family to the sand dock for our first swim of the season, The water is fine staid in for over an hour, In the evening took the family to the Oshkosh-Appleton ball game. Oshkosh lost 11-8. This is the first ball game Thres ever witnessed. After the game back out to the cottage.

22.  Sunday: Up at 7 Oclock, had breakfast in town, attended 9 Oclock Mass St. Vincents then to work. Back to the cottage in the afternoon. Mary Ann takes Delores Kinateder along to be her house guest for a few days. Oshkosh loses another ball game this time to Sheboygan Indians 18-3. We visited at Robert Brand cottage in the evening. We've been neighbors for 10 years, and this is the first time I was in the cottage. Margaret (Drexler) Radomsky is in town. Mary had company at 11 P.M. tonite.

23.  Monday: Charles R. Fiss passed away suddenly this morning at 2²⁰ at the Veterans Hospital at Wood Wis.  Born March 24 – 1876.  Son of Charles and Mary Fiss.  Married Katherine Mc Kimron at Mt Pleasant Mich Nov. 24-1908.  Survived by daughter and son Joan Frances and Charles (Chuck) a brother Rev. F.J. Wauwatosa, 3 Sisters.  Charlie was well known throughout the state and had a host of friends.  Germany is making war on Russia after denying all last week there was any friction between them.  Italy has also declared war on Russia.  Russia is really caught napping.  Temperature about 80° today.

24.  Tuesday: [RNXDK] Thres had company last night at the cottage Mary Schneider –Ann Drexler – Ida Poklasny – Alvina Putzer – Anna Sipple – Ann Weisheipl.  Were out at 6³⁰ staid until 11.30.  Bingo was played as usual.

25.  Wednesday: [RNXDK] View the remains of Charles Fiss, also little _____ Berry who was drowned last Sunday.  Bill and Emm Siewert are out to the cottage this afternoon tried our motor for the first time this year.  It works pretty well.  Had to buy 3 more life preservers.  Joe and Anna Weisheipl come up in the evening.  Norbert – Esther and Jane Mueller also spend the evening with us.  Our lights went out at midnight, so we played cards by lamp light until 1:30 A.M.

26.  Thursday: [RNXDK] In for more hot weather temperature is 95° in the shade.  Charles Fiss is laid to rest this morning, Otto Seibold this afternoon.  Germany is now in war with Russia.  It looks as if they wanted to conquer the entire European continent.

27.  Friday: [RNXDK] Took Sisters Meraldo – Viatora –Genevieve to Mt Calvary for retreat.  Had several pleasant surprises while there.  Visited with Sister Benita and Sister Gabriel.  Margaret Radomsky goes back to Milwaukee and we did not even get a chance to see her, neither did she come to our cottage.

28.  [RHXDK]

29.  Sunday: Drove to town to attend 7³⁰ Mass, then to Work.  Father Peter Duerr has his farewell today, leaving for St. Boniface Congregation – Manitowoc were you will be assistant.  Took Mary Ann and Thres to Time Theatre.  The main feature is “Virginia” starring Madeline Carroll – Fred Mac Murray – Stirling Hayden, also Ride Kelly Ride with Eugene Palette.  Rose Gittings and Teddy are in town from Chicago.  Took Ed and Thres Fretchel to the cottage this evening, they staid overnite.  Had quite a heavy rain, which was very welcome.  To Bed at 2³⁰ A.M.

30. Monday: [RNXDK] The temperature is still in the nineties, but it seems much hotter air is very heavy after the rain.  Ignace Jan Paderewski world renowned pianist for 60 years died last night in the Buckingham Hotel New York after the 2 days illness with pneumonia.  Born November 6 – 1860 village of Kurilowka –Russian Poland.  He was President of Poland for one year.  Clara Miller (Mrs. Otto Lemke is operated today.