Diary of Alfred E. Potter November, 1953

01.  Sunday: Fourth Degrees have Communion breakfast at St. Marys.  Thres and I are not there.  We attend 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents – Father Milbauer.  I worked 5 hours at the store today.  Hans Haertl calls for Joe this afternoon. I introduce him to a “Martini.” What is that?  My its sharp.  To the Oshkosh tonite Dean Martin – Jerry Lewis in “The Caddy” with Donna Reed and Barbara Bates.  “The Homesteaders” with “Wild Bill Elliot” is also good.  A blessed event at Frank and Betty Drexler, a little baby boy, I’m sure the three girls will have fun. 

Com.  All St.s and Thanksgiving

02.  Monday: [R 4 M   TVG] To 7³⁰ Mass – Father Wagner.  Another treatment at 3 P.M.  My arm is more tense than usual.  Bernhard Poeschl passed away this morning at seven.  Born in Austria Feb. 26 – 1869.  Married Louise Kinderman in 1895.  Survivors Mrs. Geo. Jensen – Mrs. John Matsche – Mrs. Lorenz Kuenzl – Mrs. Marvin Arnold – Bernard Poeschl Jr. –Louis Lemberger – 2 Brothers Joe and Frank Poeschl, 16 grand and 17 great grand children. 

Ind: Matt – Caroline – Grandma Baier.  Joe – Frank – Ted – John Drexler –Lucille Schani. 

Com.  Katherine Holzbauer

03.  Tuesday: Joe Baier had bad luck with his new car this evening.  Was taking his children of writing and ran into a parked car on ___ Street.  He has to get a new fender.

ODN photo @ Grand Opening of Main St store

04.  Wednesday: [R 2 M] Well this is a big day, our formal opening of the North Store and my birthday.  It is a grand success.  George Davis- Sales Manager Central Division Rexall, flew up from St. Louis.  He and I had our pictures taken, he was also interviewed by John Minors of the Northwestern.  A steady flow of people all day.  Had dinner at the Athearn.  Norm and Sybelle Brown- Paul Martin- Bob Fisher- Kenny Sepersky- George Davis- Fred and Loretta Baumgartner- Thres, Mary Ann - myself.  Ed and Fred Worm come in for dessert.  Took in 2293.  After closing party for the clerks.  We are home at 11 P.M.  Im rather tired.

05.  Thursday: We are back to normal at the stores.  The south store had good business yesterday in spite of north opening 1580⁰⁰.  Bernard Poeschl is laid to rest this morning.

06.  Friday: Emma Lemke birthday, she is 67.  I tried to congratulate her over the phone, but had quite a time doing so.

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08.  Sunday: [T] To 7³⁰ Mass (Low) Father Wagner Holy Name Sunday.  Bake sale and Card parties this afternoon and evening by Christian Mothers Society.  Joe Rieger has the time of his life, roller skating for the first time at a rink near Fond du Lac.  Mary Ann and I worked until 10.30 tonite.  I put in 8 ½ hours.  Ma worked a short time at St. Vincents Hall this morning.  This afternoon she played cards with Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mohr and tonite she was kept busy working until 10.30.

09.  Monday: [R 4 M   1 RF] Fred Baumgartner is taken into Rotary.  Ma plays cards at Emma Lemke’s this afternoon, S.S. Business Mens Auxiliary.  This evening she attends meeting Council of Catholic Women at the Century.  Took her sister Annie along.  I took another treatment this afternoon, this makes 35 I have taken.  Am going on at two a week schedule from now on.  Norm Brown is here for weekly dinner.  George Van Beynan’s wife “Lorraine” died at St. Marys Hospital Rochester this morning.  Marge Weisheipl said she attended Mass here yesterday morning.  Born April 17 – 1901 Green Bay.  Married May 4 – 1921.  Two sons survived.

10.  Tuesday: Thres plays cards again at Emma Siewerts this time with Mrs. Anna Ostertag and Mrs. Brusius.  K.C. sheephead tournament.  Harry Elmer was found dead in bed this morning.  Born Oct. 24 – 1886.  Last I saw him this summer, he was working for Joe Nebel.

11.  Wednesday: Mama plays cards at Security Bank (So Side Bus Mens Hall) this afternoon.  She played with Mary Beck – Mame Haidlinger – Mary Fenzl and she won two pounds of sugar.  State Senator William Draheim of Neenah announced yesterday he has quit the Democratic party to join the Republicans.  Draheim is 54 elected in 1958 from the 19th Senate District.  Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mathe 830 – 11th St. were married 50 years ago – Nov. 11 – 1903 by Father Charles Stahling.  Mr. Mathe born 74 years ago in Schoenberg – Austria – Mrs. was born 73 years ago in Guschwati Austria.

12.  Thursday: Had quite a visit with Fred Weiss and his office at the Daily Northwestern.  Took a treatment this afternoon.  Pay last respects to Lorraine Van Beynen.  The ladies play Pokeno at Annie Heips tonight.  I took them home.  Mame Erbes – Caroline Kellerman –Emma Siewert – Thres Froetschl.  Had a Milwaukee phone call from O.A. Haas this morning.  I worked 9 hours today. 

M. O. Lorraine Van Beynen

13.  Friday: [R 4 M] Well I must say mama has a beautiful birthday.  Temperature way up in the fifties.  Presents, a sweater from Dad – Nightie from Mary Ann 3 Pr Stockings from Joe, 2 Aprons from Don and Arlene.  Had a long visit with Sr. Irenaea, also Sr.  Philippina.  Franz Stampfer needs 400 dollars to come to U.S.A.  Ma has company tonite.  Thres Froetschl – Annie Weisheipl – Emma Lemke.  Thres Froetschl is very lucky at sheephead.  Charlotte Arendt passed away yesterday at Ishpeming.  Body brought here we attend rosary for her at Marquardt funeral home. 

M. O. Charlotte Arendt

14.  Saturday: Charlotte Arendt funeral services at St. Vincents.  Laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery – Berlin.  Charlotte was born Nov. 11 – 1911 in Berlin.  She worked for us.  Leo tells me she was chair director at their church.  He had over 100 Mass Offerings for her.  I’m back at Mercy this morning to give Sister Philippina the money for Franz Stampfer.  Donald and Joe rake and burn up the leaves at the cottage.  Temperature this afternoon 65 tonite 45.  Mamie Eisenhower, U.S. First Lady is 57 today.  She and Dwight are in Canada for short visit at Ottawa.  Wisconsin beats Illinois 34-7.

15.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass (Hi) Father Milbauer.  To work by 9¹⁵.  This afternoon we attend open house at Ted Hoyer and Co. at 2221 Minnesota St.  They manufacturer aids for the handicapped.  Vitor Hildemann is in charge of production and Research, Mrs. Ted (Marie) Hoyer is in charge of the office.  Teddy has been confined to a wheelchair for 17 years.  Joe Rieger and Hans Haertl drive around Lake Winnebago this aft.  I work from 4⁴⁵ until 6¹⁵.  Tonight we see Abbott and Costello in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  “Below the Sahara” is very good in technicolor on Africa.  This evening my first out since Nov. 6th. 

Com.  Charlotte Arendt

16.  Monday: [R 4 M   RLF] Norman Brown is with us this noon.  I learned his birthday is July 29th.  Thres and Mary Ann attend the first Committee Concert sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church.  “Wilma Lipp.” Coloratura Soprano – Vienna State Opera presents an interesting program of German songs and selections from famous Arias.

17.  Tuesday: Purchase new tires for the De Soto from Bizz Marheine.  Mileage today 31675 miles.  Tonight the Civic Music Association presents “Apollo Boys Choir” at the Oshkosh.  Three Oshkosh boys are members, Donald Boese –John and Bruce Clark.  They present a very fine program, some of the Sopranos are really outstanding.  Had what may be my last or next to the last examination of my arm by Dr. Ray Wagner.  Ed Radke and Floyd Devoe connect garage and house with the light outside.  Prayed Perpetual Help Prayers at home.

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19.  Thursday: Eddie Weisheipl and myself leave on the 7.58 train to Milwaukee, arrive 9.30, to McKesson Robbins then to McClurg’s.  Rene bought a luncheon for us.  Had it at Raatsch’s then to M D Orum and Yahr Langes.  Paul Hayden waited on us at Y L’s.  He began working there in 1898.  Also met Walter Lange – Bill Kies – Lou Frïtschl.  Clyde March is also in the city on business.  We are all back home at 7¹⁵ left the city at 5.40 P M.  Thres use the car to visit and played cards at Maxine Siewerts.  Tonite she entertains at home: Emma Lemke –Barbara Beck – Mrs. Aloys Tsheck.  Temperature 72 in Milwaukee 62 in Oshkosh at 10 P.M.

20.  Friday: George Ruedinger passed away suddenly at 4.10 this morning.  Dr. Ray Wagner was called in at 2 Oclock, blood pressure is OK and George seemed normal otherwise.  Doctor was called again at 4 Oclock.  George could not be saved.  He was born July 16 – 1898.  Was employed by Clarence Deniger for 7 years.  Arthur B. Chapman was elected president of the Morgan companies yesterday.  He is the son-in-law of the late J. Earl Morgan.  Hugo Eckardt elected as Executive Vice President Clarence Petri – Secretary and Director of Sales.  Walter Kleinschmidt Director of Manufacturing, Gilbert Bloechl, director of purchasing, Sales manager Henry Kimberly Jr., plant Superintendent Carl Binner.  Sister Mary Alicia (Olive Kelly) Estate inventoried at $63625.  One of the owners of the building we bought 72 and 74 Main Street.

21.  Saturday: Mr. and Mrs. Le Roy Thompson are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.  He is 49 ½ inches and she is 47 ½ inches tall.  They live in 612 6th St.  If I’m not mistaken she was married to Christ Dengler – famous Oshkosh midget before.

22.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass, Father Wagner Lady Foresters to Holy Communion.  Worked 7 ½ hours today.  This evening stood guard with 4th degree K. of C. for Geo. Ruedinger.  Rosary Monsignor Bastian.

Com.  Geo. Ruedinger

23.  Monday: Norm Brown is here for “laid of lamb” dinner.  Geo. Ruedinger is laid to rest.  Attended the funeral Mass.  Quite a number of K.C. were there.  Took a treatment this afternoon.  Will be taking only one a week from now on.  Thres plays cards at Leone Dodds – won 20 cents.  Joe Hough is now in the insurance business with Harry Bruegger.  They represent the Aetna Ins. Co.

24.  Tuesday: Thres has luncheon at K.C. Club, plays cards for the afternoon.  Emma – Maxine – Caroline and Thres make up a table.

25.  Wednesday: There was quite a commotion at our neighbors Aubie and Jeanette Phelps this morning about 3 Oclock, Woke up Joe Rieger.  Couldnt tell if it was a robbery or just a heavy family scrap.

26.  Thursday: Got up a little later than usual.  Took magazines to the Sisters.  Had a very pleasant visit with Sister Romana.  Then to work for short time.  Had a one o’clock dinner at the Raulf Hotel.  Took Joe with us.  Mary Ann and self down to the store to make up deposit.  Then to the Raulf Theatre to see “Kiss Me Kate” with Kathryn Grayson –Howard Keel – Ann Miller – Keenan Wynn, its a 3 D picture.  Also “Walkie Talkie” with W^m Tracy – Joe Sawyer, very comical.

27.  Friday: [R 2 M] Martha Pahlow is laid up with the flu.  Had a surprise visitor this afternoon.  Karl Jungens whom I had not seen in years.  He is still living in Milwaukee, with New York Life Insurance Company for five years.  He has 4 children.  His father in law Mr. Koerner of Menasha is retired for some years.  Had worked with Menasha Woodenware until an oil strike was made on a 300 acre tract of land which he owned in Kansas and almost sold for $2500.  Martha Hein broke her right arm at the shoulder.

28.  Saturday: Father Wagner calls me about going to his cottage for few days.

29.  Sunday: [5 hrs.] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass - Father Wagner.  A letter from Bishop Bona is read pertaining to the Novena beginning tomorrow in honor of the dogma of the “Immaculate Conception of Mary - Mother of Jesus.  Worked 5 hours today.  Saw “Roman Holiday” at the Oshkosh with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.  This is Audrey's star debut.  She's cute.  Co-feature is “Merry Mirthquakes” with Liberace as M.C. and of course offers some very fine numbers on the piano.

Com.  Ed Kalupa

30.  Monday: [R 4 M    1 RLF     7 ½ hs.] Peggie Mueller (Mrs. Richard Harthun is 24 today.  Norm Brown is here today for special tender rise to him.  Took a treatment at three and after that I stopped to visit with Joe and Annie Heip.  Joe is improving right along and we are in hopes he will be able to walk before long.  Thres plays cards at Leone Dodds this afternoon.  Father Wagner is up to his cottage with Ed Wertz – Byron Gunz – Joe Sosinski.  I worked 7 ½ hours today