Diary of Alfred E. Potter October, 1954

01.  Friday: [R 2 M] To 6.45 Mass First Friday – Monsignor Bastian.  He is terribly feeble and can hardly get around, his dropsical condition seems worse.  Took Donald and family to Berlin to see Harry about increasing Don’s loan.  Borrowed enough to make the loan 4500⁰⁰.  This afternoon 3 P.M. we close the purchase of the Spiegelberg home.  This is Rose Binders birthday, she is home and feeling better.  Ma and I to K.C. Club for lobster tail, Patsy Waters waited on us. 

Com.  Don Family – Mary Ann.

02.  Saturday: We are greeted with thunder showers this morning, occasional also during the day and very heavy this evening.  We learn that our Monsigr. Bastian is at Mercy since yesterday noon.  Thres and I drop in to see him tonight.  He tells us the doctors said: “I’ll be alright” and if it goes the other way “Im well prepared.” Saw Aunt Mary, I offer her candy “OH no I don’t want any candy” she said but, she ate it.

03.  Sunday: [6hrs.] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass Father Meyer.  He offered prayers for Monsignor.  Worked until 12.30 took Thres to Town Grill for dinner.  Worked this evening.  Mary Ann calls from Chicago at 7.15 that she must take train home, no plane to Oshkosh tonite.  She was to be home at 8⁵⁷.  Don and family are with us tonite.  Ma and me welcome Mary Ann home from the 1³⁰ A.M. train.  She is very tired, had no food since twelve noon.  We eat and visit until 3³⁰ A.M. then to bed.  We have plenty of rain again today, 2.23 inches from last night 8⁰⁰ until 8 oclock tonite. 

Com.  Monsignor Aloys Bastian

04.  Monday: [R 4 M    9 hrs.] Workers at Universal Foundry are back on the job this morning.  A Strike since July 19 idled the plant.  Wisconsin State Medical Society opens 113th annual convention at Milwaukee Auditorium.

05.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.  Fred Leist entertained with 23 of his cast for Brigadoon.  Don Boese sang a solo and has his voice changed.  Last winter he sang Soprano “Appollo Boys Choir” he now has a beautiful boys which may turn to baritone or tenor.  Thres is to the S.S.  Bus.  Men Auxiliary Pot Luck.  She furnishes a large loaf Rye Bread.  I attend “Mother of Perpetual Devotion.”

06. Wednesday: [R 4 M   VA] Marilyn Monroe sues Joe DiMaggio for divorce, cause the old “Mental Cruelty” gag, or incompatibility through conflicting demands of their careers.  Her attorney Gerry Geisler

07.  Thursday: Directors Retail Division me at the Raulf –Norm Rodat – Bill Petrie –John Callinan – George Wagner –Jack Delveau – A.E. Potter.  Met a little boy – Peter Volkmann at my office this afternoon, he’s been pilfering at the South Store.  Charles Garbrecht reported him to me.  Otto Lemke is 69 today.  Thres – Thres Froetschl – Maxine are at Lemke’s.  Leonard Paulick is 44 today.

08.  [TG]

09.  

10.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass – Holy Name – Father Milbauer – Sermon on the “Unity of the Catholic Church.” Speaking of the Reformation claiming Christ as their Founder other churches are as a “Limb cut from a tree” is no longer a part or member of that tree.  Rose Weisheipl is 43 today.  Mary Ann and me dropped in at Weisheipls this afternoon.  The baby is baptized and named Anna Marie, sponsors Rose W and Frank Leichtfuss.  We also visited History Mobile.  Then to Genevieve Blodgetts to celebrate Otto Lemke’s birthday.  Mary Ann and I worked the evening, Thres stayed with the folks, we are home at 10.30. 

Com.  Deceased Members of Holy Name

11.  Monday: [Nile Behnke died.   R 4 M   Elleanor Roosevelt is 70 today.] Nile Behnke director of the Oshkosh Museum since 1925 passed away unexpectedly at his home 257 Algoma Blvd. at 3 this morning.  Born June 6 1892, married Ethel Bouffleur August 19 – 1933.  She is in charge of the art department at State Teachers College.  Had a call from Sister Irene, also visited Monsignor Bastian, he is sitting up in a chair and seems much improved.  He says Al “Im making the Grade.” He can’t forget when he came to Oshkosh and found the people of St. Vincents so good to him.  He told about Aloys Koelbl and his wife pledging 300 dollars for a new St. Vincents Church, and supported a large family besides.  Also about the time he rode his bicycle to Clemens Kandy’s with his pockets loaded with gold coins, his bicycle caught in the St. car track Annie was thrown and the gold strewn all over the street.

12.  Tuesday: [R Fatima] At Kiwanis Steve Wittman spoken his experiences in airplane races from 1926 on.  Very interesting.  Marge Haverty is laid up with a bad cold.  To Perpetual Help Devotion.  Don and family are over tonite.  Little Donald says his name is Donnie Pottie.  A lovely day today.

13.  Wednesday: [R 4 M   VA 2   MW 1] Jack Delveau resigns his post as executive secretary of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce.  He has held this post since April 1 – 1952.  Paid last respects to Nile J Behnke at Fiss and Bills.  Gordon Hough, manager of Penny’s elected President Twin Lakes Council Boys Scouts last night at Hotel Whiting – Berlin.  Marge Haverty worked from noon until 4³⁰ then I took her back home.  Told her this noon, she should not have come to work until she was well over her cold.

14.  Thursday: President Eisenhower is 64 today, his help excellent.  John Sawida died last evening 8.05 Mercy, sick one week.  Born April 16 – 1890.  Was a painter.  Survived 7 daughters – 5 sons

15.  Friday: [Thres gets a permanent today.   R 2 M] Father Michael Drexler’s mother Anna passed away at 12.25 this morning at Mercy very unexpectedly after suffering a stroke.  Frank had brought her home from Father Mikes only yesterday afternoon.  She was in happy mood when they left, telling Father she’ll be back in a week.  Became ill after five had to be taken to the hospital.  Took Annie Weisheipl along to K.C. for fish.  Thres and I had our favorite lobster tail.  And to make it interesting, I forgot to pay when I left the club.  We then saw “Brigadoon” played by the A Capella Hi School.  Very Well presented.  Met Fathers Milbauer and Warzella there.

16.  Saturday: Franz Stampfer whom I helped to come from Germany (Bavaria) about 8 months ago pays a visit at my office.

17.  Sunday: [GS 2 ½ Miles] To 7³⁰ Mass; we receive the news that our beloved Monsignor Bastian passed away at 2.20 this morning.  Born Village Kirkweiller Alsace Lorraine May 28- 1874.  Ordained St. Joseph Church De Pere Sept. 8- 1897. First Mass Seymour 9- 14-1897.  Appointed to St. Vincents May 1, 1912.  Appointed Domestic Prelate 1945.  Marge Haverty called me at the house this afternoon and she is really in the dumps.  I tried to soothe her as best I knew.  To the store to make out store deposit.  This evening Honor Guard for Bishop Grellinger at Confirmation Services at St. Vincents, about 130 confirmed then to Drexlers and Home. 

Com.  Msgr. Alois Bastian

18.  Monday: [R 4 M  VA 1  TG] Margaret and Leona Drexler call this morning from Northwestern Depot at 7 Oclock, picked them up and had breakfast at our house then to the Drexler home to meet the folks and then to the funeral services at Sacred Heart.  Father Michael “celebrant” Father Bunkelman “Deacon” Father Berg Sub Deacon (Father Warzella M.C.  Bishop Grellinger in Sanctuary.  After the funeral dinner Sacred Heart Entertainment Basement.  Then to visit John Bauer 745-12th – Theresa Drexler (widow of Frank) 739-12th then show them around St. Vincents Church and Chapel then to Mercy Hospital to see Aunt Mary.  The girls are indeed surprized to see her doing so poorly.  Took them to the depot for the 2.55 train.  Then Thres and me to Marge and Mrs. Haverty for an hours visit.  I spend the evening with Josephine and Madeline Bastian.  Met Rose Dettloff there.

19.  Tuesday: Attended Chamber of Commerce meeting in Jack Delveau's office to make tentative budget for Retail Activities 1955.  Skipped Kiwanis luncheon to Cemetery Board Meeting in the Cemetery Office at 4.30 P.M. To Rosary for Monsignor at 8³⁰. Walked to church and feel very bad.

20.  Wednesday: [R 4 M    VA 1] Gale Robertshaw is in town to take oversold "One-Cent Sale" order.  Jack Faust and myself honor guard at the bier of Monsignor Bastian this afternoon.  Im on from 3.15 to 4 Oclock and from 4.15-4.45.  Back for rosary with Holy Name Society at 8 P.M.

21.  Thursday: [Msgr. Bastian laid to rest] Honorary Pallbearer for Msgr. Bastian with Ed Binder, Art Ostertag, Mike Eichman, John Hable, Ray Wagner.  About 225 Priests present.  Bishop Bona - Celebrant, Father Zey - Sermon.  Met Father Zey –Schoren – Joe Ahearn, Msgr. Ehr –Glückstein.  Took Mary Schneider and Schlaeger “Lorie” Elleanor home.

22.  Friday: [R 4 M  VA 2] Turns out to be another very nice day.  Had a call from Marge Haverty, told her to get out into the air and she will soon be much improved, and she promises to follow my suggestion and go out today.  Ed Froetschl comes to my office for a private interview.  It is about Marion Larson his daughter, she is getting a separation from her husband Carl, seems he has taken to drinking and has lost several jobs, one with the “Mercury” and other with the bakery.  Separation final next Wednesday.  Had lobster tail and perch at K.C. and paid for last Friday also.  Patsy Waters got plenty of kidding for not collecting for me last Friday.

23.  Saturday: Another lovely day.  Don and Dave take out the dock at the cottage.  Mother is along and brings in some of our bed clothing.  I took Debbie and Donnie to see Marge Haverty and then out to see Aunt Annie Heip.  Matt gives the children some money.  Debbie tells her mommie that Rose's husband "Matt?" gave them the money.  I took a drive to Fond du Lac “St. Agnes Hospital” to see Father Martin A. Wittmann, my old classmate from Mount Calvary.  He showed me a box full of snap shots taken years ago and they were very interesting.

24.  Sunday: This is Aunt Mary’s birthday, she is 82.  We dropped in to see her this afternoon.  She is cheerful as usual, but is unable to talk and I doubt if she knows either one of us.

25.  Monday: [R 4 M] Mary Ann got a permanent today.  Norm Brown is with us today.  He stays, helps Thres was dishes and is with me until 2.30.  Thres plays cards at Rose Schneider's, gets a bad nose bleed and I take her home.  Marion Drexler is giving away cheese at the Security Bank, reason: This is Cheese Week in Oshkosh.

26.  Tuesday: Did not get to Kiwanis luncheon today.  Had to see my “Perpetual Help” prayers home this evening.  We attend the First Civic Music Presentation “The Continental – Aires.  They are darkies, and their program of song is excellent.  Their pianist – arranger Julian Parrish – Clinton Holland Tenor Robert Bulger Tenor and Drama Wanza King Bass Baritone and Drama – J Wayland Jackson, Basso each an individual artist.

27.  Wednesday: [Art Mueller gets a Nash.  R 4 M   VA 1  Work Bench Meet at the Athearn.] This is the big day of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Convention.  It is also the evening of our Rexall Work Board Meeting.  The clerks will receive double P.M. on items of Rexall manufacture during November.

28.  [TG  R 2 M]

29.  [R 4 M]

30.  Saturday: Marion Froetschl Larson with her children David and Caroline arrives from California this morning.  Ma and I are busy washing storm windows and Don and Dave Wingrove put them on for us.

31.  Sunday: Thres and myself to Sacred Heart for 7³⁰ Mass.  Its the Annual Communion Sunday for 4th Degree Knights, their ladies and also widows of deceased Sir Knights.  After breakfast I’m at work as usual.  Sacred Heart also has closing of 40 Hours tonite, 18 of us are there for Honor Guard.  Margaret Klemmer fell on the church steps after 9 Oclock Mass and broke her shoulder.

Com.  Deceased Sir Knights of our Assembly.