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Roseann Louise Whipple, age 73, of Elko New Market, MN, was a caring mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. With profound sadness, we announce that she passed away suddenly August 6th, 2021, on the East Bank of the Mississippi River at Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.

John R. Henle, age 84, of New Prague, died peacefully with his wife at his side, due to complications of Covid 19 on Tuesday, December 29, 2020.

The September 1, 2021, issue of the Belle Plaine Herald, will be the last.
The newspaper’s owners, the Townsend Family, announced the news on its front page this week.
“The Townsend Family is sadly publishing the final edition of the Belle Plaine Herald, after nearly 140 years of covering the news in Belle Plaine and the surrounding area. This is the one article I hoped we would never have to print,” stated publisher and editor E. Daniel Townsend, who’s been employed at the newspaper and print company as long as he can remember.

A large crowd and good weather greeted The Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Show Friday Aug. 27, through Sunday, Aug. 29. The annual show features tractors of all years, sizes and models.
“We had extremely good attendance this year,” said Bill Thelemann of the Pioneer Power Tractor Show. “We dodged the main (predicted) rain storms.”

The Duck Cup Memorial had speaker Joe Beckman address the teachers of New Prague Area Schools on Thursday, Aug. 26, in the high school auditorium. Beckman encouraged the teachers to reclaim the human connection in their schools.

Alan George Dumbleton, 63, passed away on August 22, 2021.

New Prague High School students in grades 10 through 12 headed back to in person classes the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 31. Freshman were at the school building on Monday, Aug. 30, for orientation. Students started arriving for classes between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. According to the high school there are 1,380 students registered this year. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Jacqueline “Jackie” J. Callahan, age 84 of St. Thomas, MN, (Le Sueur County), died suddenly at her home on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Le Sueur County, MN. Visitation will be at the Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 starting at 4:00 p.m. and concluding with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue Saturday morning at Kolden Funeral Home, Sept. 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  Procession to St. Thomas for the 10:30 a.m.

Members of the New Prague Chamber of Commerce surprised Jerry Minar the morning of Friday, Aug. 27, as he and his wife Bev will be this year’s Grand Marshals of the Parade of Farm Pride during the city’s Dozinky Festival. Jerry said they are honored to be named as the Grand Marshals. From left are Frank Weber, New Prague Chamber of Commerce board member, Jerry Minar and Brooke Sticha, Executive Director of the New Prague Chamber.

With sun shining through the large windows in FaithPoint Lutheran Church’s new sanctuary, Rev. Dr. Steve Trewartha warmly welcomed congregation members, friends, and visitors to the church’s Grand Opening worship service and celebration on Sunday morning, August 22, approximately one year after the church held its groundbreaking ceremony.
The 14-acre campus is located at 1051 270th Street West (one mile north of the car dealerships on Redwing Avenue) in New Prague.
A ribbon-cutting event was held prior to the service to kickstart the event.

Three of the four teams from the DRS Amateur Baseball League were eliminated in the first round of the Class C State Tournament last weekend.
Kimball defeated Union Hill (3-0), Luxemburg downed St. Benedict (5-2), and Bemidji ended New Prague’s season (12-3).
St. Patrick is the lone team remaining from Region 3C. They received a first round bye and will play Austin Saturday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. at Waconia. Austin defeated Paynesville (6-2) in the first round game.
In the New Prague loss, Bemidji used a draftee pitcher to shut down the potent Orioles offense.

The Czech Heritage Club were on the road a few weeks ago.
Club Members George Mikiska and James Simon appeared at the Pope County Fair in Glenwood on August 6. According to the members, Pope County has the next highest population of Czech immigrants in the state after Czech Country (Veseli, Lonsdale, Montgomery, and New Prague).

Robert Kes, age 87, of Edina, formerly of Burnsville, passed away August 21, 2021. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savage. Robert is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Cecelia Kes; parents, Emil, and Ludmilla Kes; siblings Emil, Emanuel, Myles, Frank, John, August, Lawrence; Ludmilla Schoenbauer and Angela Kes; and his granddaughter Megan Michaelson.

Ivy Joyce Braith, age 13 months, of Northfield, died peacefully in the arms of her  mommy and daddy on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Minneapolis Children’s Hospital.  Ivy was born on July 6, 2020 in Minneapolis to Matthew and Sarah (Salaba) Braith.   In her short life, Ivy left the footprint of a giant.  In her 13 months, only 2 were spent at home, the rest at Children’s Hospital.  She impacted and stole the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to care for her.  She defied the odds many times in expected outcomes and prognoses, providing the opportunity for her doctors to learn from her.  Desp

Leonard J. Korbel, age 67, of New Prague, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital – Rochester.  Leonard was born on April 1, 1954 in New Prague to Milo and Angela (Mayerhofer) Korbel.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Parochial School and graduated from New Prague High School.  Leonard married the love of his life, Roxanne G.

As of this Thursday, Aug. 19, edition of The New Prague Times I have reached 22 years of being a reporter here in New Prague. The majority of my 27 years as a reporter has been here in this community that has become my home.

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