Diary of Alfred E. Potter September, 1952

01.  Monday: Honorary pallbearer at Walter Dodds funeral.  Comitment services at Calvary Cemetery.  A heavy downpour of rain at the cemetery.  After the services dinner at K of C Club.  Drive to the cottage about 3³⁰.  The Fretschls and the Siewerts are there.  We have a pony of beer.  Almost forgot Aunt Annie Weisheipl it along also.  They enjoyed the time with Pokeno and Sheephead.  They leave at 10³⁰, we also drive home after they left.

02.  Tuesday: Some schools opened today, mostly for registration.  To Kiwanis luncheon, Our table Louis Lyons – Ed Olsen – Jim Bruins – Clarence Kelly – Rothwell Stickley and myself.  Joe Rodler is back after a long illness.  Zala Miller shows pictures of his trip west.  Holy Masses offered today at St. Vincent’s for Uncle Joe’s recovery.

03.  Wednesday: Art Mueller is back this noon after four days leave.  He and Margaret were in Milwaukee and Chicago.  They visited Al Sehlbach.  Dropped in to see Uncle Joe for short visit.  Carl Putzer is back at his old place of work “The Oregon Clothing House”.  He worked there for many years then to Spoo’s – to Penny’s –to Brauers – back to Pennys and now back to Oregon Clothing.

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05.  Friday: To 6⁴⁵ Mass, St. Vincents.  Saw Frank Norkofski this morning.  He was operated for yellow jaundice about the first of August at Mayo Clinic – Rochester.  He is very thin and the effects of his illness still show on his features.  Took Thres and Mary Ann to Otto’s Hi K for fish dinner. 

Com. Don Family – Mary Ann.

06.  Saturday: Took Thres and Mary Ann to the Oshkosh tonite to see “What Price Glory” in Color with Dan Dailey –Corinne Calvet – James Cagney also “African Treasure” with Bombi starring.  See by tonite’s paper that Father Mike Drexler is transferred from St. John’s Antigo to assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s – Marinette.

07.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ High Mass Father Milbauer.  Worked part of the morning, very busy at the store.  Had a call from Mrs. Otto Ilk at 1⁴⁵ for Rx from Dr. Gunther for Agnes Baier.  Delivered it at 2 P.M.  Also delivered prizes to Pat Faust for Apostolate Card Party.  Visited Aunt Mary at the hospital, also Sisters Irene and Philipbertha and Superior Sister Laurentina.  Expect to make arrangements for Joseph Rieger. 

Com. Frank Haidlinger

08.  Monday: [R 4 M] Had a short visit with Father Murphy in regard to Joe Rieger, but did not get much information.  Back to Sister Irene this evening she tells me she will send for the necessary papers.

09.  Tuesday: This is Primary Election Day and it is a hot one in two ways.  Temperature is 86°and the entire country is watching the Senatorial Race between Sen. Joe McCarthy and Len Schmitt.  Joe Baier birthday today.  Congratulations Joe, I believe he is 48.  Took Ken Sepersky along to Kiwanis luncheon.  Saw an interesting colored movie on the Du Pont Company.  This year marks their 150 anniversary.

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11.  Thursday: [1 R] We are off to a business trip to Milwaukee with Eddie and Florence Weisheipl accompanying us.  First stop at McClurg’s, Renee is glad to see us, then a big dinner at Carl Raatsch’s then to Broadway Church Goods to buy a crib from Alex Paderowski for Sister Laurentina at Mercy then to Badger Wholesale – Alice Costigan, Irv Kajik – Otto Schmidt are still there.  Understand Badger may be sold to Meyer Bros of St. Louis, one of the oldest drug houses in the country.  The ladies shopped during that time we were busy, met at Schroeder Cocktail Lounge, saw Carl Knobla’s and Kenny Kings wife there.  Then for a walk on Wisconsin Ave., stores are open tonite then to _____ Theatre to see “The Merry Widow” on a Synchro Screen, makes colored movies looks more natural then at home, stopped at Theresa for a hamburger, find Oshkosh Beer on tap, home at 1³⁰ and took Eddie and family home from Annie Heips.

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13.  Saturday: Thres and self paid our last respects to Albina Yungwirth this afternoon at Poklasny’s.  About six of the daughters were there.  Frank Dichtl passed away this morning at the home of Wilbert Schleinz R 5.  Had been ill for some time.  Born Nov.22 - 1908

14.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Holy Name Mass – Father Wagner talks on Christian Charity and especially the kind that hits the pocketbook.  Had a surprize visitor this afternoon.  Cork Weisheipl – Matt and Aunt Annie brought in “Uncle Joe.” Dr. Donald Hugo passed away at Mercy Hospital this morning at 8 Oclock.  Born in Chilton Feb.12 – 1890.  Married Emma Chapiewski at Cashton Wis.  Oct 7-1924.  His Brother Msgr.  When Claude Hugo is at Two Rivers.  Attended Rosary for Frank Dichtl at Meyers.  Father Wagner. 

Com. Dec. Holy Name Members

15.  Monday: [R 4 M] Gust Bett passed away at 5 A.M. today at Mercy Hospital.  Gust had a peculiar heart ailment, small portions of the heart breaking away forming blood clots.  I never heard of conditions similar to pass.  Born in Norrie Wis. Aug 3 – 1901.  Married Lena Buss Nov. 21 – 1925.  Gust used to have all my repair work when I had a Chrysler and small Plymouth Coupe.

16.  Tuesday: [T] Received my “Certificate of Affiliation” with the Province of St. Joseph Capuchin Order from Very Rev. Provincial Cyprianus.  This is a Gift that money can not buy.  Am indeed happy, for this spiritual gift.  To Kiwanis luncheon, our table Dr. Louis Graber, Chuck Clemens – Hugo Riese – Lee Conroy –Ed Ledvina.  Danny Romberg spoke on his experiences on a recent scout trip to Canada.  Gordon Davis –Taylor Instrument salesman called on me today.  I consider him one of the finest salesmen to ever call on me.  Tonite to Fiss and Bills to pay our last respects to Dr. Donald Hugo.

17.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Had a call from Clarence Westphal this morning.  Dr. Hugo is laid to rest this morning.  Served as honor guard at Fiss & Bills tonight from 7¹⁰ to 7³⁰ and 8¹⁰ to 8³⁰.  Richard Heinzl all passed away this morning at Mercy from burns received yesterday afternoon while burning weeds at 917 11th.  He poured gasoline on to revive fire thinking it was kerosene.

18.  Thursday: Gust Bett services at St. Peters and commitment at Lakeview Memorial Park.  Served as honorary pallbearer.  Others Ed Binder –Les Borisch – Clarence Deniger – George Kontra – Cliff Kloeckner.

19.  Friday: Attended meeting with Rudy Haveman at Court House with Vern Peroutky – Clarence Westphal and made preliminary arrangement for 4 H Achievement Day Nov. 8-1952.  Then up to see Jack Dell view Secretary Chamber of Commerce for further arrangements outlining our program.  This evening to see Aunt Mary at the hospital, also Frank Norkofski who had a heart attack Monday.  Saw Sister Irene for information about Christmas Crib.  Then out to Poklasny’s to see remains Richard Heinzl.  He was born in Austria April 3 – 1869.  Came to Oshkosh April 5 – 1905.  Married Theresa Plach in Austria November 1899.  He were shoe repairman for Rothenbach and Haase Shoe Store. 

M.O. Richard Heinzl

20.  Saturday: Took Ed Fretschl to the cottage this afternoon.  We fished most of the afternoon, I caught 4 Perch, Ed caught none.  We visited at the Dramatics – Frank Mueller and Schiefelbein were there, also visited with Al Marshall and then with Bonnie Callies.

21.  Sunday: [T] To 7³⁰ Mass – Father Wagner –Sermon Fr. Milbauer.  After breakfast to work at the store.  Leona Spanbauer (Mrs. George) passed away this morning at 10.15 at Mercy.  Sister Irene spoke to me about a Mrs. Spanbauer Friday evening, I did’nt think it could be Leona.  Born Dec. 19 – 1893 Fond du Lac.  She was a sister to Mrs. John Bauer ____ 8th Street. 

Com.  Richard Heinzl

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23.  Tuesday: Took Joey Baier to Kiwanis luncheon.  It is our Kids Day at Kiwanis, I had another little fellow.

24.  Wednesday: A busy day getting orders out and getting ready for a few days vacation.  Visited Aunt Mary at the hospital, had her sitting up in a chair tonite, she made no fuss whatever and sang for us, visited Frank Norkofski, he is losing ground, but is conscious, waved goodbye to me when I left.

25.  Thursday: Left Oshkosh at 9¹⁵ with Thres for Milwaukee, arrive at 11 A.M. at Yahr Lange Drug who are having open house today and tomorrow.  Had luncheon at Y and L’s then visited a few moments with Sister Laurentina, Superior at Mercy Hospital, who also is at the open house.  Then registered at Schroeder Hotel.  Mr. Bauer assigned us Room 824 with a promise of a room for three tomorrow.  Then over to Broadway Church Goods House to order stable from Alex Paradowski for Sister Laurentina, then to McClurgs to see Rene about a tricycle for Debbie and check on our Christmas Tinsel Order.  Then back to Y and L purchased some specials from Norm.  Y & L stag party is on this evening.  I took Thres –Sybelle and Ruth Lange to dinner at Carl and Margaret’s and had a visit with the folks.  Back to Norms room 1143 and then to our room 824 at 12.20.

26.  Friday: We did not get up until 9⁵⁰ this morning.  Did not stop for breakfast, over to Yahr Lange had luncheon with Mr. Mrs. Art Krause.  Art is pharmacist at Winnebago State Hospital.  Registered at the Drug Convention, Met Art Look –Ed Voight – Marty Knauer, had our picture taken bend in to hear some speeches, then back to Y & L.  Sybelle takes my order today, then back to Hotel with the ladies Mrs. Donna Knauer – Mrs. Voight – Mrs. Look and Martys Brother Irv Knauer are waiting.  Had our dinner at the Cudworth Post American Legion Post a fine Club House.  Forgot to mention Mary Ann came in at 5¹⁵.  Everybody is in good spirits especially Donna Knauer – after dinner back to the Hotel to see the very fine floor show put on by the Travelers Association.  To bed about 1 A.M.

27.  Saturday: Had breakfast about 9 A.M. then to drug meetings.  Mary Ann and Thres went shopping for the day.  I had luncheon with Aug Hedberg –Marty Unmuth _____ Hielsburt – Norm Brown.  More speeches this afternoon – a memorial prayer for deceased members.  Did not attend banquet tonight, took Thres and Mary Ann to Towne Theatre to see Being Crosby in “Just For You” Dinner at Schwabenhof on 12th St.

28.  Sunday: To 9 Oclock Mass at St. Michael’s on 24th St.  They have an entirely new lower church (its a beauty) then to breakfast at Juneau Coffee Shop, then down to the lake (Michigan) to see the sail boats.  Its a beautiful day and hot, temperature 89° then to Washington Park Soo.  Got there at feeding time.  Impressed with Bears – Elephant – Zebra – Birds – Monkeys – Pythons – Zebras.  Then to St. Michaels for a 2 hour visit with Sister Linus.  Shows her classroom – 54 youngsters.  She is teaching first grade for 24 years.  Then to A View to see Karl –Margarets Folks – out to Romy Czekalski.  Romy is on strike, brought Lovie to work.  Folks want us to stay for dinner, we did’nt.  Back to town had dinner at George Diamond’s at the Republican Hotel, met Mr. Sage (Kimberly Clark) who left San Francisco this morning, very interesting.  Mary Ann enjoys her steak immensely.  Me Sage has has been with Kimberly Clark 46 years.  I find I have no coat had to drive back to Carl’s where left it.  When I get back we take a walk to Emil Bejase “Big Stein” for big Beers.  Home at midnight and to bed.

29.  Monday [T   R 4 M] Breakfast at 8 – Coffee Shop Schroeder –check out and ready to leave at 9 A.M.  Picked up 24 cans Blatz Beer, I won at the Convention.  Tried new Hi Way 41 from Fond du Lac, we were the only car going north.  Home at 11¹⁵.  To work at 11³⁰.  Visited Uncle Joe this noon –Tonite attend Rosary for Frank Norkofski.

30.  Tuesday: Pallbearer for Frank Norkofski service at 9 A.M.  Monsignor Bastian offered Mass, also prayed at Commitment.  Father Bastian’s last words at the Grave “Good bye Frank, I’ll see you in Heaven.” Very touching to all present.  To Kiwanis luncheon, George Savage spoke on “Trees for Tomorrow.” Had Visitors today, Sisters Laurentina – and Emmelia from Mercy Hospital are over to see our South Store.