Diary of Alfred E. Potter February, 1955

01.  Tuesday: [MH 9 Mi] Thres and myself to Appleton this morning to attend funeral services for Sybelle’s mother, at 10 A.M. at St. Josephs Church.  Father Bob Fasselman was Subdeacon.  Mayor John Voss is operated on this morning.  Father Victor Kandy is in my office this afternoon.  Thanks for his Christmas cigars.  He was over to see the new pastor at St. Johns Father Walter Williams but does not find him in.

02.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Joe Baier – Donald and myself are busy selling candles at St. Vincents this morning.  This may be the last time we will be selling candles at the church.  Ed Froetschl was not with us this year.  Don and family are over tonite.  Don and myself to my den to begin working our European Trip to make a sound movie.

03.  Thursday: [MH 9 M Art Mueller 53 today.] Ed Binder and myself have interesting session in my office tonight.  Don and I had planned working on the movie again tonite.  When I got home I was called in to another meeting.  Paul Wertsch and program committee are at his office making plans for future meetings.  Over at 9³⁰ but too late for Don and me to get going.  Art Mueller comes up with another birthday.

04.  Friday: Sent a card to Mayor John Oaks at Mercy.  Mama – Mary Ann – and myself to K.C. Club for lobster tail and shrimp this evening.  On my way to work this morning the De Soto hit 42000 miles on the corner of 11th & Minnesota.

05.  Saturday: Snow is our treat this morning.  It is not a heavy downfall just enough to make things look clean.

06.  Sunday: [Syl Stack died 1.40 A.M. Born 12-19-1877 Menasha  Married Marg Kolf 10/29/1930] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass – Father Schorn St. Vincents Annual Reports are out today.  Receipts for the year 46682.06 This afternoon we pick up Aunt Annie Heip and we all visit Aunt Mary.  She seems to be getting weaker, her right hand and foot are swollen.  We could not wake her enough to have her notice us.  Sister Irene also says Mary is failing.  We then visited the hospital chapel, Forty Hours Devotion is in force there.  Took a drive to Riverside Cemetery, then to Sacred Heart but it is closed with snow drifts.  Then home where Annie spent the evening with us and so did Donalds family.  Don – Mary Ann and I worked.  Don took Aunt Annie and his family home at midnight.  Beautiful day today, temperature around 26°. 

Com.  Joe Weisheipl

07.  Monday: [R 4 M] Had Norm Brown over for pigs hocks.  He says these are the best he’s ever eaten.  This evening Thres and I go to our respective Christian Mothers and Holy Name meeting, which end up in a joint get together between the two societies.  Bill Schaefer has a quiz program, and its fun, the men won on points over the ladies.

08.  Tuesday: [Georgi Malenkov resigned as Premier of Russia.] Up at seven, stopped at Frank Boettchers to fit a truss. Frank has to get around with two canes. To Kiwanis luncheon I did not stop for the program.  Zola Miller, Bob Bock and myself discuss a new Kiwanis Club for the South Side; we can not see how we can get one started at present. Dropped in to say “Hello” to Eliz. Haverty. Attended cemetery board meeting, a longer than usual one. Rose Weisheipl takes her first auto driving lesson this afternoon. “Hildegarde” is in town - putting on her show at the Raulf Theatre. I was called on stage and received a Rose from her.

09.  Wednesday: [R 4 M Aug Schulz – 830 – 7th St. dies 7.45 P.M.] Father Schorn phones me that the “New Tabernacle” is in place and blessed at St. Vincents. It is my way of saying “Thank You” for the many Blessings we have enjoyed thru the years.  Premier Georgi Malenkov resigned yesterday in a confession of “guilt ” for mishandling Russian Soviet affairs.  He was replaced by Marshol Nikolai Bulganin.  Aug Schulz passed away tonight at 7⁴⁵ heart attack.  He served quite frequently with myself as honorary pallbearer at Foresters funerals.  Born 9-6-1894.  Married Mary Kloiber 1/31/1917.

10.  Thursday: Ronald Weed is married to Theresa Salm at St. Marys Church –Chilton.  Her uncle Rev. Peter Salm performed the ceremony, assisted by Fathers Lambert Scanlon – and Robert Berg.  Son to Harold Week.  He and dad run Winnebago Boat Livery.  Weather turns suddenly cold this afternoon.  S.S.B.M. “Ladies Night” was a success the ladies enjoyed it very much.  Program, a Heart Movie projected by Donnie Potter, talk by Dr. Ray Wagner, a talk by Ilsa Carmda, an exchange student from Vienna – and Abbott Costello picture and then cards.  Gardenias for all the ladies.  Prizes donated by Al Potter –President.

11.  Friday: [Donald 27 Virginia Abrams 37 Harvey Zentner 70 RW 4 M] Father Schorn is in my office for short visit.  Donald’s Birthday today, he is 27 and no special event planned.  John Huber – Racine retired pharmacist died of a heart attack yesterday at Clearwater Florida.  I knew him well.  We used to have pleasant relations years ago with “The Druggist Service Bureau.” Flu Epidemic on in West Germany, 27 dead in a month, 500 Schools closed.  Official temperature at 6 A.M. 10° below zero.

12.  Saturday: Its a fairly busy day at the stores today.  Valentine Day may have something to do with it.  I don’t think it’s Abraham Lincoln.  Joanne Mauritz stays with Mary Ann this evening and they also have the pleasure of taking care of Deborah and Donnie Jr.  While they ^Don – Arlene^ are with us at the Raulf Theatre to see “The Silver Chalice” in Cinemascope, starring Virginia Mayo – Jack Palance as Simon –Pier Angeli and introducing Paul Newman.  “Battle Taxi” with Helicopters is the Co-Hit with Sterling Hayden.  I’d like to see “Silver Chalice” again.

13.  Sunday: [5 hrs.] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass.  Father Milbauer.  We are somewhat short handed at the South Store, but very busy.  Guess Billy Mauritz forgot to come this morning.  This is the second Sunday we have no chimes ringing at mass.  Visited Aunt Mary, she is about the same.  Met Joe Rieger his girl is not coming over yet, she did not pass physical exam. 

Com.  August Schultz

14.  Monday: [TG   R 2 M  8 hrs.] Valentine Day brings cards from the nieces and grand children.  Thres plays cards at Angie Jansen’s.  Mary Fenzl first with 65 in 60 hands, Elsie Zentner was low with 27.  Dr. Will Wagner is in my office for short visit.  Dr. George Lynch has been out of circulation since Oct 15th.  He is having quite a time keeping his blood count up and diabetes is not helping his case any.  Dr. Will is entertaining the Monday Night Card Club.  Directors S.S.B.M. meeting at Ed Binder’s Office.  No meeting for March 10 scheduled.  Visited Annie Heip today.  Cork writes every day she says, slight error, he had not written for a week.

15.  Tuesday: [8 hrs.] Arthur H Mueller (T and S) leaves for hospital, “John Hopkins” via airplane.  To Kiwanis luncheon.  Rev.  Gordon Bender spoke on “Tall Men Wanted.” Dan Hildebrand resigns as a member of the Board of Education, this morning.  Had quite a snowstorm tonite.

16.  Wednesday: [R 4 M   6 ½ hrs.] A beautiful day, snow melts away fast.  Thres – Thres Froetschl – Annie Heip –Maxine Siewert play 5 Hand Sheephead at Emma Lemke’s this afternoon.  Cork Weisheipl wires to Rose for 15 dollars to come home.  Met little Barbara Mauritz at the Caramel Crisp at 5 P.M. took her home and stopped at her folks for short visit, then to Ray Ostertags, supply the girls with popcorn balls.  Also had a funny story about Ed Fretschl.  He evidently left work at 4.30 instead of his regular time at 5 Oclock.  As he was rounding 9th and Oregon, heading for Tad’s Tavern he spied me driving toward him, he quickly turned back and hid in the stairway of Security Bank.  I saw it all and got a big kick out of it.

17.  Thursday: [MW 3 M] Ed Shrank in my office today for short visit.  He is interested in my office desk.

18.  Friday: Woke up with a slight nose bleed this morning.  Dropped in to see Annie Heip this noon, thought Cork might be home, he has not arrived as yet.  Ed Binder – Harry Schmitt – Walter Patri – George Timmerman leave for Hot Springs this morning, have several weeks vacation.  Thres and I to K.C. Club for lobster tail and who should we meet there, Marge Haverty and Rose Weisheipl at the bar.  We had our meal together, took the women for a ride to State Hospital, they did not wish to register, so I took them to Stop and Go Tavern and Thres and I drove home.

19.  Saturday: Visited Aunt Mary, she is not good and the end may be near.

20.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass, Father Schorn.  He reads the Lenten Rules and comments or rather Elaborates on them.  Worked about 2 ½ hours this morning and back it 3.30 for 3 hours more.  Donald – Mary Ann to see Aunt Mary, she is failing rapidly.  This evening we are at South Park Gym to see the “Globe Trotters” basket ball team.

21.  Monday: [Bus fare 15¢ today.] Sister Irene called at 7³⁰ this morning that Aunt Mary was very bad. We arrived at the hospital shortly after, but Mary had passed away. So ends the life of as virtuous and kind a person as I have ever known. Sister said we have an angel in heaven praying for us and I'm sure she's right. I'm kept busy most of the day making arrangements. Father Schorn - Joe Poklasny - Bud Hrnak - Mary Stadler and pallbearers. Had quite a visit with Rose Stievater, Fathers housekeeper. First occasion I had to meet her. Father showed me the improvements they are working on at the parsonage and to church to give me a close up of the new Tabernacle.

22.  Tuesday: To Mercy Hospital to see Sister Irene, if any of the sisters would like to see Mary.  Mrs. Rojek brings them over this afternoon.

Don Potter Aunt Mary Drexler? & Theresa Potter

23. Wednesday: Aunt Mary is laid to rest this morning, 10 Oclock Hi Mass by Fr. Milbauer. Its a clear cold day. Margaret Radomski came in at 6.30 from Milwaukee. Service well attended by many old timers. Had the folks over for dinner about 25. Pallbearers Joe and Matt Drexler - Frank Drexler - Joe Baier - Eddie Weisheipl and our Donald. Five Sisters from Mercy Hospital attended. Anna Ostertag took care of the meal. Della Jackish made Jello.

24.  Thursday: Took Margaret to the depot for the 7.58 A.M. stream liner. She'll be in Milwaukee by 9.30. Quite a bit of snow fell during the nite. I had an accident this noon, while walking by the city hall on Otter Street. A hunk of snow fell from the roof and hit me on the head. My hat saved me from serious injury, altho my head hurts some. I think it will be OK, I hope. We get a postage meter for the North Store today.

25.  Friday: [TG] Called Ed Binder’s secretary Jane to call members of Rural Relations for a meeting tonite.

26.  

27.  Sunday: [Billy Mauritz 21 today.] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass Father Milbauer.  Worked this morning, slept this afternoon, back to work at 6.00 oclock.  Mary Ann’s Sunday to work.  Billy Mauritz has a birthday.  He is 21.  Joe Hemmer tells me he and some of the boys are going to visit Father Alphone Wagner at Two Rivers.  Don and family spend the evening at our house.  Mrs. Plank, Sybelle’s mother would have been 72 today, had she lived. 

Com.  Mary Drexler.

28.  Monday: [R 4 M   Ray Novotny tells me some political news.] To 6⁴⁵ Mass.  Father Milbauer about 100 Communicants.  Visited Mayor Voss in his office, he is doing quite well since his operation.  I told him about getting hit on the head last week, by a hunk of snow falling from the roof of the City Hall.  Had a note from Father Eckarth, who used to be at Mercy Hospital.  Mrs. Louisa Poeschl sent him some Mass offerings for Aunt Mary.  Also a card from Ed Binder with an offering of five dollars for a Hi Mass for Mary.  Norman Brown is with us this noon. 

Com.  Jos. Weisheipl