Last updated March 19, 2020
Eva was widowed before I was born. I do know that Grandpa Hartmann committed suicide by shooting himself at North Park. I have heard that this occurred as a result of the Stock Market crash of 1929. Since he had owned several houses, including 30 Bly Street, this never made any sense to me.
Potato Pancakes. While we were growing up, Eva supported herself by working at the McCrory’s 5 and 10 cents lunch counter. According to legend she was known far and wide for the potato pancakes she made there. I do know that a lot of the family loved her potato pancakes. I often find myself trying potato pancakes or latkes when I see them on a menu in a German or European restaurant. It may just be nostalgia, but I’ve never tasted any that were as good as hers.
Church Laundry. She also supplemented her income by washing and ironing the surplices, amices and albs worn for the daily Mass at St. Boniface. The surplices and amices were a bright white and needed to be starched and ironed. If I remember correctly, she went to the rectory once a week to pick up the dirty altar-wear , and returned it in a day or two.