Diary of Alfred E. Potter April, 1957

01.  Monday: [New Blade] Agnes Spanbauer begins working in my office this morning.  I hope she will like it.  Norm Brown takes Mary Ann and me to Town House for lunch.  Mother entertains S.S.B.M. Auxiliary Card Club – 16 ladies Alma Thobaben 1st prize 66 Angie 58 – Emma Lemke 57.  Drove to Berlin this afternoon. Had a lengthy visit with Harry Kujawa at the Bank.  He tells me their gross profit 141000 – net profit 53000.  Uncle Sam took 25000.  He gave John and Mary his car and gave himself a new Buick.  Tonite I served as honor guard 4th Degree at Mercy Hospital.  Paid last respects to Jack Alyea 9¹⁵ P.M.

02.  Tuesday: [Election Day today.  I’m #155 at 9³⁰ A.M.  This is the big pancake-sausage day for the “swimming pool” put on by us Kiwanians. This noon I had the pleasure of being with Mrs. Ella Meyer Christensen and Dr. Martin. Had’nt seen Ella for years. No job for me at this time. Thres played Court Whist at Zwicky's 1841 Doty this P.M. Mrs. Zwicky entertained ladies auxiliary S.S.B.M. Took Marge - Mary Ann - Mother to the Masonic Temple for pancakes and sausage at 4³⁰. I really got a job this time. Wally Zahn set me to dishing out the sausages, worked 2 ½ hours, dished out sausages for at least 1000 people. It was a never ending line from 4.30 to 7⁰⁰ Oclock. But it was fun.

03.  Wednesday: [Daylight Saving Wins.  Unofficial 3281 precincts 560668 Yes 468911 No] Texas was beaten up by tornadoes yesterday.  Dallas and Fort Worth were hard hit at least 10 people killed and 500 homes destroyed.  Agnes is doing real well at the store.  She learns fast, is very dependable.  Oshkosh C.Y.O. Council presents 1957 Talent Show at St. Vincents Auditorium, this evening.  Twelve very good solo and ensemble presentations.  Judges were Dr. George Meyer – Roy Lindsey –Herb Ilk and myself.  I got quite a kick out of it.  New Council: Chuck Fiss –Dey C. McCray – Bob Stauffer – John Voss – Bill Harford – Ted Widder Jr. – Jim Botz.  School Com: Wes Schneider –Geo. Oaks

04.  Thursday: Mother plays cards at Martha Lichtfuss residence tonight with Rose Stiefvater –Elsie Kirsch and Martha.  Father Milbauer chauffeurs the ladies out and I take them home.  When we arrived at Elsie Kirsch’s home my speedometer showed exactly 60000 miles.  More thunderstorms and twister threats alerted people in Dallas Texas yesterday.  A tornado yesterday tore off 1/3 of the roof of Little Cypress School in S. E.  Texas near Orange.  None of the 800 students hurt.  Henry Roehl R #1 died Tuesday at 8 P.M. St. Agnes Hospital Fond du Lac.  Born Jan. 29 – 1875.  Married Anna Rhyner June 2 – 1904.  Harvey Rhyner and I used to visit the Roehl farm about 1905.  Lots of fun.  Learned to ride horseback, took the Milk to the Cheese Factory etc.

05.  Friday: Donald is having tube trouble with his T.V. Set.  Expense to replace picture tube and others 78⁰⁰.  Daylight savings in Wisconsin wins 560668 -468911 Winnebago County 18882 – 10167.

06.  Saturday: Ed Hetzel passed away at Winnebago County Hospital this 3 A.M.  Born Germany May 20-1874.  Married Anna Meyer Oct. 1897.  He was a brother to Millie (Mrs. George Eigner)

07.  Sunday: Don calls for me for Mass at St. Mary’s by Bishop Grellinger KC Corporate Communion –Breakfast in the Auditorium and then a splendid talk on education by Father James Weisheipl.  Thres – Mary Ann and Arline attend 5⁴⁵ Mass.  Worked this afternoon.  Attended Rosary for Ed Hetzel tonite with Thres.  Had quite a visit with George and Millie Eigner.  Met Bob Brand at the post office today.  He has plans for a new dock for me. 

Com.  Ed Hetzel

08.  Monday: [Temperature 6.30 A.M.  31°] To 6⁴⁵ Mass – Father Schorn.  Ed Hetzel is laid to rest.  Norm Brown is with us.  Mother plays cards at Mary Gillens tonite.  Im chauffeur for Rose Stiefvater –Thres Polier also.  The ladies really played from 7⁰⁰ to 11³⁰.  Rose is lucky has a 58 score. 

Com.  Hedwig Riedel

09.  Tuesday: [Temperature 6.30 A.M. 34°]  To 6⁴⁵ Mass all by myself. Mother is too tired and not feeling too well. Electricians begin the wire work at our South Store preparatory to installing the dial telephone system. Had a visit with Sister Alverna this afternoon. She needs a nerve tonic for one of her Sisters.

10.  Wednesday: [Temperature 6:30 A.M. 33°] Mother and myself to 6⁴⁵ Mass - Father Milbauer. Attend first meeting of the leaders, that is group leaders, for the New Catholic High School at St. Johns. Bishop Grellinger - Father Williams, Jerry Moffet from Foleys were there with 15 leaders present. After the meeting I had a short visit with Father Williams. Among other things he tells me the Lord has been good to me and I heartily agree with him.

Com.  Joe Weisheipl

11.  [COX 5]

12.  Friday: To 6⁴⁵ Mass.  Mother is too tired.  Father Milbauer.  Im sorry, I made a mistake, Mother is with the Christian Mothers and Altar Society to Corporate Communion in Honor of the Sorrowful Mother.  She and Mary Ann stated the showing is not too good about 60 ladies.  Herman Kempinger brother to Mrs. Joe Seibold –Mrs. Joe Lang –Mrs. Joe Womaski passed away last night about 11.55.  Born May 11 – 1884 married Martha Bahr July 31 – 1907.  Martha passed away June 20 -1948. 

Com.  Catherine Heinzl

13.  Saturday: August Pitz II son of Gilbert Pitz is reported missing since yesterday.  He and Warren Basler took off from Lock Haven Pennsylvania yesterday at 9 A.M. each flying a separate plane.  Basler lost contact with Pitz as they attempted to fly over a fog shrouded ridge near Hooversville Pa.  He may have hit the ridge.  Born Sept. 9 – 1933.  He worked at our store (South) not too long ago for the Pitz Contracting Firm.

14.  Sunday: [Aug Pitz body found this afternoon near Loganier Pa.  Mrs. Kindness birthday she is 39.] To St. Johns Church with Foresters for Easter Duty.  Father Williams blesses the Palms and has the Mass.  Father Sladek assists at Communion.  Attended Stations at St. Vincents 2 P.M.  Father Milbauer.  After Stations to Mercy Hospital.  Visit Anna Frank Bartelt in 315, she’s there almost 3 Weeks.  Specialist from Milwaukee states she has a stomach ulcer.  Local Doctors unable to find what’s wrong or possibly do not wish to commit themselves.  Then to see Mary (Mrs. Joe) Stadler in 324, it will be 3 weeks tomorrow she is there, diabetes etc.  Then to see Emil Meyer in 350.  He is 90 and unconscious, his daughter and son in law Mr. and Mrs. Harold Horn are with him and incidentally find John Blau Sr. in 350 been there since March one.  Will be operated Wednesday, Prostrate Gland, then to see John Robl in 3__.  John had a stroke and has arthritis, then to see Katy Heinzl 218.  Tonite to Rosary for Herman Kempinger at Poklasny’s. 

Com.  Happy Hour of Death

15.  Monday: To 6.45 Mass with mother.  Made arrangements to take Ed Radke and Alfred Luedke to the cottage.  Ed explains where he wants the digging for underground wires, for Bob Brand and us.  –Norman Brown is with us this noon.  Menu: Pigs Hocks – Dumplings – Sauerkraut.  Yum!  Thres.S.B.M. Directors meeting tonite.  I brought 2 prizes for the next meeting.

Com.  Albert Koplitz

16.  Tuesday: To 6.40 Mass with mother. To Kiwanis luncheon. Rev. Heglund from ___ gave a nice talk. Salvation Army lassies are selling milk chocolates for their summer camp drive. The new managerial form of government takes over at 12.01 this noon and the old Council Form is out. Charles J. Fiss is elected President and Ivan Van Akkeren temporary City Manager. I attended Cemetery Board Meeting at 4.30 This evening to Church Service and then to Rosary by Bishop Grellinger for Gilbert Pitz's Son August.

Com.  August Pitz

17.  Wednesday: To 6⁴⁰ Mass with mother.  Father Milbauer.  Alfred Luedke is at our cottage digging a trench for our new electric wiring to the boat house.  Opening National League game at Chicago, the Milwaukee Braves with Warren Spahn pitching beat the Cubs 4-1.  Spahn allowed only 4 hits.

18.  Thursday: Mass at 8 AM this morning.  No early Mass.  Gale Robertshaw is at the store for orders and P.M. Tabs.  Markie keeps Grandma company while the folks are at Mass.  Don and I over to Pat Karst’s 105 Mill Street to look at a new kind of dock.  Had quite a visit with Margaret Radomski over the phone this morning.  I called her in regards the monument for her parents Theodore and Anne Drexler.  Learn that Karl has been in the New St. Luke’s Hospital on Oklahoma four out of 5 weeks with yellow jaundice.  Doctors think irregular meals and too much coffee have caused it.  Tonite Mother and I attend 7³⁰ Mass.  Father Schorn.  Johnny Binder is 15 today.

19.  Friday: [New Snug New Blade] Attended afternoon service Father Schorn and Father Milbauer take Bart.  Father Milbauer reads the Passion, Father Schorn, Mass of the Presanctified.  Mother did not attend, her legs are bothering her too much.  Temperature rises to 75° this afternoon.  Milwaukee Braves opened in Milwaukee yesterday defeated Cincinnati 1-0.  41506 fans at the game.

20.  Saturday: Another nice day with temperatures up to 73° this afternoon.  Made a few visits this afternoon, to Fretschl’s –Aunt Annie Heips and to Matt Drexler Family.  Had a short letter from Father M.A.  Wittman at St. Agnes Hospital Fond du Lac.  Also heard from Jim Kirsch at St. Meinrad’s Major Seminary.

21.  Sunday: A little cooler this morning. Worked a few hours this morning. Took Don and family with us to dinner at the Raulf. The children are very well behaved. Markie has an unusually good appetite, even Donnie surprized us by eating most of his meal. Back at the house after dinner, where the Easter Egg Hunt is taken over by the children.

22.  Monday: No 6.45 Mass this morning, Father Schorn distributed Holy Communion at 7⁰⁰.  Mrs. Henry Zeimet, the former Theresa Koelbl passed away at 9³⁰ this morning following a heart attack at home 1204 Bismarck.  Born Aug. 28 – 1891.  Married April 23 – 1912.  Sister to Louis – Joe – John – Pete of Mt Vernon Ohio, and Fred Koelbl. 

Com.  Serra

23.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.  Saw Postmaster Ray Novotny in regard to contract renewal of our 10th Street and Main Street Postal Stations.  Am trying to get 3600 a year for each.

24.  Wednesday: To 6.45 Mass – Father Milbauer.  Temperatures 66°.  Cork Weisheipl now plays with Dick Metko’s Orchestra.  Joe Weisheipl plays at George’s near Appleton. Com.  Theresa Zeimet

25.  Thursday: To 6.45 Mass Father Milbauer looks like we may have rain.  Another visit with P.M. in regard to Main Street Sub – Station, learn we have a competitor who is bidding very low on our station, the Stearus Drug Store.  Phoned Syl Dretzka about Billy Mauritz, learn that Syl has written to the Oshkosh Draft Board April 9th. Syl tells me he still stays at the Elks Club.  Had a call from Bill Kies about “Sunbeam Fryer” for Faye Baier also Jeany Horejs Bandage Shears.  Dropped in at Norm Rodats and bought 3 Place Settings for Jean and Billy.  Visited with Billy tonite also Ray Ostertag’s.  Jimmy is there, he is being sent to Spain for 3 years.  Lois Zernzach and Mary Ann dine at Towne House.  Mother plays Cards St. Vincents Foresters with Annie H – Annie O and Mrs. Brusius.  

Com.  Emma Hoeppner

26.  Friday: To 6⁴⁵ Mass.  Father Milbauer.  Father Vincent Putzer has Mass at 7³⁰.  Ben Zinth passed away yesterday 1¹⁵ A.M. at Mercy.  Married Eleanor Rowe June 10 – 1914.  She died May 29 – 1951.  Married Louise Petersen Sept. 6 – 1952.  Operated a fur store from 1910 – January 1953.  Alvin Ahlswede 165 Boyd St. died unexpectedly last evening 7³⁰ at his home.  Ill since Mar. 19.  Born May 11 – 1885.  Married Irmgard Manthei April 26 – 1922.  Owner of the Oshkosh Implement company – 7th and Nebraska.  Paul Wertsch Motor Company are now franchised dealers of Rambler and Nash Automobiles. 

Com.  Ben Zinth

27.  Saturday: Holy Communion only at 7 A.M.  Father Schorn.  Sisters are there also.  Faye Baier and Jackie Neustifter are wedded at Sacred Heart.  Mary Ellen Mauritz and Harold Tollard at St. Peters.  We spent some time at the Neustifter home, had a plate lunch and refreshments.  Met Mr. and Mrs. ___ Anderson, Mr. Mrs. Le Beck (Carl) Mr. Mrs. John Frya, Mrs. was widow of George Madaus.  Bill – Rose – Joanne – Barbara Mauritz spend the evening until 9 Oclock at our house.  Don – Arline – Mary Ann to Am Legion for the Wedding.  We set our clocks ahead at 9 P.M. 

Com.  Carl Radomski

28.  Sunday: [Johnny Stevens broken jaw in auto collision last night Hiway 41-45.  Don Vesperman driver Don had no driver license.  Mrs. Lee Snyder R #2 Omro killed.]     We are now on “Daylight Saving” for the first time since World War One. To 7¹⁵ Low Mass, Father Schorn. A beautiful day, not too warm. Little ones receive First Holy Communion at St. Vincents. Carol Hazen - Lester Phelps are among them. Took a ride with Don and family to the cottage. Matt Drexler, Mandie and boys are there. Pat Karst comes out to measure up for our new dock. Mother is a K.C. Club in the finals of the Cath. Womens Tournament. No prize, Annie Weisheipl wins 8 dollars. Hardwood Products Corp. (Neenah) fire yesterday $300000 loss. 

1957 04 29 news clipping

Com.  Carl Radomski

29.  Monday: To 645 Mass – Fr. Milbauer.  A lovely day, a bit cool in the morning, warming during the day.  Norman Brown is with us for spare ribs and sauerkraut.  Mrs. Sylvia Lehnigk entertains the Auxiliary Card Club in the newly decorated rooms of the S.S. Business Mens Club.  She is entertaining for the last time, as she will be leaving Oshkosh shortly.  Thres comes in with 20¢, wow!  Took a drive to the cottage after supper.  Note, the electricians have been there.  Our Spring One Cent Sale begins today. 

Com.  Carl Radomski

30.  Tuesday: To 6⁴⁵ Mass – Fr. Milbauer.  Another nice day coming up – temperature 49° at 630 D.S.T.  Margaret (Mrs. Karl) Hanson from Wautoma is at Rochester Minnesota taking treatment for her eyes.  Mailed package # 6555 to Rothbauers, Parsberg Bavaria Germany.  Postage 3.31 Insurance .25 Total 3.56.

Com.  Monsignor A. Bastian