Brandon Dennis Witt, age 50, of New Prague, passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, August 16, 2024, after a 5 year fight with colorectal cancer. He was born November 12, 1973, in St. Paul to Ken and Lana (Schmid) Witt. Brandon graduated from New Prague High School in 1992, and followed in his father's footsteps toward a lifelong construction and excavation career.

Rita Tobin passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, with her beloved nieces Michelle and Cheryl by her side. She had been in declining health for several months.
The youngest of Walter and Veronica Tobin’s five children, Rita was born on July 15, 1937, in New Prague, where she attended St. Wenceslaus grade school and New
Prague High School. 

Harold "Hal" Josef Bass, passed away unexpectedly on August 31, 2024. His life was full of many adventures during his journey. Hal’s love of baseball as a child and into high school brought a scouting team and an offer to enter the baseball farm system. Also in high school, he placed second in the state wrestling tournament. But rather than pursue sports, in 1963 he enlisted in the Air Force. Hal proudly served his country while in Vietnam, trained in air rescue and later as a LRRP team combat medic.

JoAnn R. Hughes, age 90, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, August 31, 2024. JoAnn was born in Minneapolis on June 23, 1934, to Roy and Inez (Lindberg)  Bartosh.  JoAnn graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, where she met the young man, who would become her husband.  She married Ronald J. Hughes on October 27, 1954, and they raised their family of four daughters in the Bloomington/Minneapolis area for most of their lives, moving to New Prague in 2000.

Mary Ruth Zweber, age 86, of New Prague, died peacefully at home on Friday, August 30, 2024, with her family at her side praying the rosary at almost the same time during the night that her husband had died just 8 days earlier! Mary was born on September 6, 1937, in New Prague, to Dr. Charles F. and Ruth M. (Nelson) Cervenka. She graduated from New Prague High School, where she was very involved in extracurriculars, chosen the first Snoball Queen, and graduated with honors.

John David Jung Guen Anderson, 47, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2024, at Hope Residence Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine, after an extended battle with liver disease and many lifelong challenges related to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
John David was born in Seoul, South Korea on July 9, 1977. In July of 1981, he was placed for adoption in the home of David and Kathleen Anderson of Webster, Minnesota. They remained his forever family. 

Peter C. Ploumen, age 83, of Shakopee, MN, entered eternal peace on Friday, August 23, 2024, at St Francis Regional Medical Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 11 a.m., with a gathering from 9:30-10:45 a.m., at The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne (Church of St Mark) 350 Atwood Street, Shakopee, MN. Father Frankie Floeder will preside. Pete will be laid to rest at Shakopee Catholic Cemetery.

Capt. Lesley J. Fierst USN, Ret., age 53, of New Prague, died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at his home.  Les was born on March 15, 1971, in New Prague, to Randolph and Nancy (Lapic) Fierst.  Les spent his youth like most kids.  He enjoyed hanging out with neighborhood friends playing sports, backyard pickup games, going to the pool, just being a typical small-town kid.  Les was the stereotypical 80’s kid, collecting sports cards, playing video games, scouts and growing up with that 80s music watching Friday night videos.

Richard J. “Dick” Zweber, age 85, of New Prague, died while praying a rosary with his daughter at his home on Thursday, August 22, 2024.  Dick was born on November 13, 1938, in St. Paul, to Vincent and Helen (McFadden) Zweber.   He grew up in St. Paul, attending St. Matthew’s, St. Joseph’s, and Cretin Schools, before moving as a sophomore, graduating from New Prague High School.  It was there that he met Mary Ruth Cervenka, the woman who would become his bride, on December 31, 1958, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.