Diary of Alfred E. Potter June, 1957

01.  Saturday: [Hans Thorgrimsen 54 accepts appointment as first City Manager of Oshkosh.  He has been manager of Rapid City So. Dakota.] Father Worzella in at 6⁵⁰.  Don in at 11.15 with my mail.  He tells me Walter Rosenau next to Pete Fisher’s had a black out this A.M. fell off a ladder, cut quite a gash in the back of his head.  Talk to Elsie Kirsch on the phone this morning.  Jim is coming home tonite.  Eddie brings mother over this aft.  Don is at the cottage to cut grass, trying to make up for lost time.  Marge Haverty is in this afternoon.  Ray Schmidt is in from 6 to 7 P.M.  Joe – Mary Drexler –Marge Beck – Rose Weisheipl drop in, they are to see Judge McDonald, he is in 406.  Bill Salzieder is in.  Don gets through at 8 P.M. at cottage.  Bill – Rose Mauritz – Joe Baier spend a very interesting evening with me.  Mary Ann also for the evening.

02.  Sunday: [I’m allowed to sit on a chair 30 minutes] Father Worzella has High Mass at 6 A.M.  Communion for me at 7⁰⁰.  Breakfast at 8⁰⁰ and a nice long visit with Sister Capistrana.  She’s grand.  Jean Horejs stops in for a time, she on floor 5 with 8 Students.  Carl Radomski calls up from St. Luke’s Hospital – Milwaukee this morning.  Its a treat to talk to him.  Tony Paulick and Bob are in.  Joe died in Chicago.  Tony to his funeral tomorrow.  Ollie – Ann – Lawrence Kinateder stop in for a nice visit.  Karl Kiekhafer – Tom Peck – Art Margaret Mueller on their way to Appleton.  Ann and Ray Ostertag, Miss Spreutel – Dave Wingrove’s girl friend is in.  Bill Mauritz stops in 7¹⁵ to 7⁴⁵ Lawrence Kinateder stops, tells me

03.  Monday: [Jimmy Radomski tries magnifying glass on his pants burns a hole thru them, tries it on his shoes, don’t work leather is too thick.] Communion as usual.  Jake Klemmer is in.  He feels much improved but has rheumatoid arthritis.  Goldie is taking curative treatments.  Dr. Bill Wagner is back telling me about the big ones (muskies) that got away.  Tony Pable is in for 2 hrs this aft, so is Norm Brown.  Norm had luncheon with Thres and Mary Ann.  George Duckett talks to Don about Medical Art Building, about the Clinic Pharmacy.  Ed and Eddie Fretschel –Joe Schiessl – Arno Abraham are in.  Art Hazen spends an hour from 6-7.  Leon and Dolores Moore –Harry and Agnes – Mary Ann Joanne Mauritz spend the evening.  Harry tells about Mary’s Grad.  They stayed over at Margarets.  Little Jimmy Radomski uses magnifying glass on his dad Carl, tells him he notices his color and also his Polish accent is coming back.  What a boy!

04.  Tuesday: Communion as usual.  Sister Capistrana is in.  My clips are removed at 11 A.M.  Harry Otto is in this aft.  He is in 224.  Operated 2 weeks ago tonite.  I do a little visiting myself.  Mrs. Schoenberger in 207 Matt Kinderman in 205.  Jim Kirsch is in with a present.  He’ll be working again for us this summer.  Don and Mary Ann in this aft.  Don shows Sister Capistrana what her new taperecorder will look like.  Cliff and Sue Crowell are in tonite, also Mrs. Kinderman.  Dr. Scheuerman says I need not stay much longer.  Up until 11 Oclock listening to a 13 inning ballgame.  Giants beat the Braves 8-7.

05.  Wednesday: Father Worzella in at 6.45.  First visitor Mrs. Andrashko, mother to Mary Ellen.  She is starting to work here from 11 to 7 A.M.  John Binder, medical student is in, his mother is here for blood tests.  Carl Kiekhafer has 2 rainbows for me.  Bill Stumpf is in for an hour this noon.  Don and Gale Robertshaw are in at 1³⁰.  Otto – Emma Lemke and Thres spend the afternoon.  Joe Schiessl stops in.  Surprize visitors Dick Schroeder –Jack Binder – Ronnie Osmus with a box of cigars.  Nancy Mathe – Mrs. Schoenberger – Lawrence Kinateder.  More cards from the Czekalskis – Ed – Fred Worm – Ed Dess Wirtz –Theresa Stadler – Mass from K.C.  Mary Ann spends the evening.

06.  Thursday: [Pete Hansen room 221 drops in to listen to Giants – Braves game. Reuten Gomez beats the Braves 2-0 4 hits.] Communion as usual.  Dr. Wagner takes off my bandaged, thinks wound looks OK.  Ray Novotny and Fred Baumgartner are in, I sign new application for stations #1 and #4 $3000 for #1 $2400 for #4.  Ray gets the $8710 he will be 55 in July has 7 years to go for retirement when he will receive $350⁰⁰ per month plus what he can earn.  Margaret O’Reilly from Omro drops in for an hours visit.  I’m sponsoring her course in nursing.  Mrs. J Rozek is in also Frank Drexler –Rev. Daniel Stahmer.  Catherine Eberhart introduces herself, Sally Paulson, Menasha another of my girls spends an hour also Thres Polier –Mrs. Joe Drexler.  Father Sladek spends an hour, Sister Eleanor.  Jim Kinderman finishes off the evening with a long visit.

07.  Friday: [Sister Capistrana asks Mary Ann about “Betty Hill.” Ted Engelke a classmate of mine at Park School died of heart attack 11.45 A.M. today.  Born 8/8/91] First Friday.  I offer Holy Communion for Serra.  Rose Stephanus, asks me about Father Schorn.  He married her father and mother Mr. Mrs. Martin Stephanus at St. Martins church in Ellis a mission of Father Schorn’s when he was at Custer.  Harry Otto is going home today.  Had a long visit with Harry Berres this afternoon.  He is in 408 also dropped in to see Judge Dan McDonald he is in 406.  Bernice Novitch and Earl Fuchs are in this afternoon.  A Card from Caroline Drexler with “Mass Offering.” A Jar of Glockcemias” from Ray Deal.  Father Milbauer spends an hour with me, he takes Mary Ann home.  Pete Hansen is in for the game Braves beat Pittsburgh 5-0.

08.  Saturday: Father Worzella is in its 6.45.  Visited with Matt Kinderman.  Shows me the tube thru which he is being fed.  He gets about 6 eggs plus baby food each day.  Dr. Wagner is in to see me and I get good news “I may go home today.” Had a very nice visit with Mrs. Norbert Landgrof.  Dropped in to see Ann Bartelt in 315.  She is in a very bad way.  Her sister Mrs. Harvey Ziebell says that Ann told her, she wants to die.  Don and family are here to take me home at 2 P.M.  Left a 5 # Box Candy for the Nurses and “Good Bye” to room 206.  Matt and Amanda bring some “Gropfens.”

09.  Sunday: Slept quite well the first night home.  Don picked us up for 7¹⁵ Hi Mass.  Father Milbauer.  Father Keller has an interesting program on the Christophers T.V.  Cecil de Mille and the others who helped him produce the “Ten Commandments.” Worked on “Professional Statements.” Donald is sponsor for Stan Esslinger’s little boy, name Mark.  Little boy is 3 months of age.  Dolores Kiesow is co-sponsor.  We have Don’s family with us for the evening.  Don works. 

Com.  Deceased Holy Name Members

10.  Monday: [Norm Brown is with us this noon.] Don took me down to the Store.  Experienced a very busy hour there.  More work on professional and industrial statements.  Mary Berger 1039 – 5th passed away Sunday 6³⁰ P.M.  Had a heart attack Sunday morning after attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion.  Born Jan. 19 – 1900 Mary Bloechl sister to Louis.  Mrs. Art Bartelt 910 – 8th died Sunday 3.25 P.M at Mercy born 9-25-1898.  Anna Frank.  Married 2-12-1918.  Old time “Charivari” for Ed Binder and Norma Esser at their home “Leonard’s Point” tonight.  About 35 people present.  Tony Serwas took us.  Home at 1.15 A.M.  A real nice party.  Thunder and much rain tonight.

11.  Tuesday: [I now weigh 138 pounds.] Don takes me to Kiwanis luncheon.  Had a very fine program.  Oshkosh Youth Organization were given quite a sendoff by Al Lundquist Manager Coca Cola Bottling.  Our guests Chuck Fiss –Del MacRay – Bill Harford –Bob Stauffer – ___ ___ and Hans Thorgrimsen Oshkosh first city manager.  First National Bank Chorus entertained directed by Dick Burr.  Dropped in to see Paul Wertsch.  He had me take out and drive a Chrysler New Yorker, gold nugget color.  To cemetery board meeting at 4³⁰.  No President – no V.C. or V.P. Leonard Reinke takes over as T.P.

12.  Wednesday: Paul Wertsch is not feeling well today and stays away from work.  Appointment with Dr. Bill Wagner this afternoon.  He says I’m doing well, come again next Monday.  Picked up the New Chrysler this afternoon.  Sold the 1958 De Soto to Eddie Weisheipl for 495⁰⁰.  I had 61130 miles on it.

13.  Thursday: [T] More rain during the night.  Set the news this morning that Al Leonard Chicago Regional Sales Manager Rexall passed away.  Talk to Mrs. Ann at Donellan Funeral Home.  She said they had flown into the Chicago Airport from L.A. Monday Evening.  Charles Rhoten –Mr. Sherringhausen there to meet them.  Al said He was happy to get his feet on Illinois soil.  Kidding he asked “Where’s the Band.” Walked only a few feet and collapsed, died early yesterday morning at the hospital.

14.  Friday: [Appointed to Oshkosh Foundation Committee.] Serra Club to St. Johns 7 Oclock Mass and Corporate Communion.  About 20 or more present.  Had breakfast at the Athearn.  Steve Kircher took the over and back.  Don is with Werstch Motor Co. Sales meeting and breakfast also at the Athearn.  Temperature 73°at 8.30 A.M.  Day Wingrove puts on screens for us at the house, I believe this is the latest we have ever put them on. 

Com.  Serra

15.  Saturday: Don is at the cottage this afternoon, raking and planting grass, mother does some cleaning in the cottage.  Temperature up to 83°.  I worked at the store until 6 P.M. then out to the cottage.  We arrive home at 9³⁰ and find Harry and Agnes Kujawa visiting with Mary Ann.  Receive notice of official appointment as a member of the Oshkosh Foundation Committee to replace Matt Mertz – resigned.

16.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass.  Father Schorn.  Weather changeable.  We were awakened by a heavy thunder early this morning.  It was an electrical storm hitting from all directions.  Temperature up during the day up to 83°.  The Milwaukee Braves acquire “Red Schoendienst” from the New York Giants, they gave up Pitcher Ray Crove – Outfielder Bobby Thomson and Second Basement Danny O’Connell. 

Com.  Honor God the Father, also Stanislaus Jarosch

17.  Monday: [Sister Veronica had to have a ride in the new Chrysler.  Off. Temp. in Oshkosh 89°] Starting out a bit hot and humid this morning.  After some work at the store, we leave for Elm Grove at 10.45 with Sisters Romana – Zephryn –and Maxine.  Run into a few heavy showers near Milwaukee.  Arrived at 12.45.  Had luncheon and then a wonderful visit with Sister Veronica who was Sister Superior at St. Vincents about 1930.  We had a lot of trips together to Milwaukee –Elm Grove –Madison – Waupun, Green Bay – Sheboygan – Wisconsin Rapids.  She was 70 years of age May 16th.  Lost her brother John Wambach that same day.  Back home at 4.30 P.M.  Visited Dr. Wagner office tonite, he says Im OK so far.

18.  Tuesday: Had our Kiwanis luncheon at the Legion Club House today.  Nice place but too noisy for our speaker.  Spoke to Gale Robertshaw on the phone about seeing the Rexall Holiday display at the Lorraine Hotel Madison.  Don – Bill Mauritz put in the skid for our boat, this evening, Ray Ostertag is with them.

19.  

20.  Thursday: Don and Eddie Weisheipl leave for Madison at 10.30.  Fred Baumgartner – myself – Adeline Steinhilber – Marge Haverty leave at 12.20 got lost on the way arrived at 2.30 P.M.  Rexall display is at the Lorraine Hotel.  Charles Rhoten in charge.

21.  Friday: Herman Behm 1826 Arizona St. passed away 9 Oclock this morning at Mercy.  Born Aug. 25 – 1922 in Underhill Wis.  Married Jane Bixley Dec. 12 -1942.  Active sports car racer.  Record at Daytona Beach Feb.28 -1956, a Stanguellini car powered by a Mercury outboard motor at 102.1 miles per hr in the 750 cc Division.  He had the agency for Kaiser motors, and did all of Donald’s work.  Of late his agency for Volks Wagons did a thriving business

22.  Saturday: Weather quite warm, 85° at 12.30 PM.  Saw Postmaster Novotny this morning, he tells me, my contract for Station #4 at the Main Street Store has been approved for 2400 per year.  Work the most of the afternoon, took a drive to the cottage after supper.  Don and Arline are there.  Matt and Joe Drexler –Manda and Ceil visited with them.

23. Sunday: [T] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass – Father Schorn.  At the store from 10.30 to 12.30.  Temperatures 61° at 7 A.M.  Sister Linus is at home with her family.  We visit with her from 3 to 5.  She came home Friday, is allowed 5 days.  Father Victor Kandy is honored by his parishioners with a picnic at the church grounds in Winneconne.  Norm Brown called this afternoon, Aunt Nora passed away last night at 7 Oclock.  Mary Ann is invited to dinner at Dr. Don Gerths. 

Com.  Mary Berger

24.  Monday: Took Ed Fretschl and Thres Potter to our cottage.  Ed is cutting the hay down back of the cottage.  Attended my first meeting of the “Oshkosh Foundation.” Present for Reuben Shekey – Carl Steiger – John Dempsey – Mrs. Waite – George Nevitt – Ed Schrank –A.E. Potter.  First Trust Company represented by Clarence Lambrecht.

1957 06 25 Lutz obit

25.  Tuesday: [Temperature 57° this morning.] To Kiwanis Club.  Rev. Becker and Rev. Eide put on the program, slides on the Bible.  Don is at the cottage tonight with a trailer to get rid of a lot of hay and other junk.  Dave Wingrove and ___ Ludwig help him.  Bob Lutz an old school mate of mine at St. Vincents School died last evening in California.  Lived at 3427 Georgia Street San Diego.  Married Marie Ebe in 1921.  Survived also by Brother Reuben, sister Celia now Mrs. Sterling Cody.

26.  Wednesday: [Birthdays: Rob Fretschl 30 Leonard Fretschl 37] Francis Spellman and Erma Schneider married 50 years ago today by Father James Hogan at St. Johns Church.  Took Thres to Berlin this afternoon.  Left Mary Ann’s and Mother’s Fur Coats at Nigbors for storage cleaning and glazing.  Stopped to see Harry Kujawa at the Farmers & Merchants Bank and find John and Mary working there.  Gave Mary her graduation present.  Harry tells me he talked to Karl Radomski on the phone yesterday.  Karl is still a St. Luke’s hospital, getting blood transfusions to build him up.

27.  Thursday: Took mother for another treatment at Simpson’s at 9.15.

28.  Friday: [Blue Shield Plan paid Dr. W^m Wagner 100⁰⁰ for my operation.] On the job at 9 AM to 11.30.  Steve Kircher took Ed Binder and me to the Serra luncheon at the Jesuit Novitiate.  It was a meal not a luncheon.  Our table Dr. William Wagner – Bill Mauritz – John Fitzgerald and myself.  Father Sheehan gave a nice talk about novices and the novitiate.  This afternoon I took Ed Fretschl – Annie Heip with us to the cottage for some cleanup work.  The Brands are getting ready to entertain 60 Y.M.C.A. youngsters tomorrow at the cottage, after a boat ride to Omro and back sponsored by the Outboard Motor Club.

29.  Saturday: To Poklasny’s to pay last respects to Rudy Novotny.  To Sacred Heart Church to Billy Mauritz and Jeanie Horej’s wedding Hi Mass.  A beautiful day.  Took Ed and Thres Fretschl and Annie Heip with us to the Horej’s for the reception.  We staid from 5³⁰ to 8³⁰.  Did not attend dance at the Columbus Club in the evening, most of our store personnel did.  Almost forgot to mention Donald was Billy’s best man.

30.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass.  Father Milbauer.  Winnebagoland Marathon in outboard motors is on today.  From Fond du Lac to Freemont and back.  Don and family spend the day at the cottage.  Mother is feeling badly – very dizzy, her right leg bothers considerably.  Clara Luck plays her last service at the organ of Trinity Episcopal Church.  She has been organist there for 51 years.  Years ago she worked for Dr. John E. Schein, as assistant in his office. 

Com.  Thres.