Andrew Thom stresses he is joking when he says he was hoping his daughter would arrive in time for he and his wife, Nicole, to receive a tax credit for having a child in 2023.
But Nicole and Andrew were delighted when their daughter, Louella Ann, arrived in time to become the first baby of 2024 in The New Prague Times’ New Year’s Baby 2024 contest.
Louella Ann arrived Monday, Jan. 1, 8:10 p.m. Born at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, she arrived weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces. Louella arrived at 21 1/2 inches long. Louella Ann is the couple’s first child.

After splitting two games over break, the New Prague High School girls’ hoops team started 2024 off right with a solid win over section competition before opening Metro West play.
New Prague topped Rochester John Marshall Jan. 2, a victory that could help NPHS earn a top-four seed in the section seedings and a home playoff game later in the season. The victory gives the Trojans a leg up on the Rockets as an upper-middle tier team in the section behind Section 1AAAA powerhouses Lakeville North, Lakeville South and Rochester Mayo, said NPHS coach Eric Specht.

Yvonne Geraldine (Severson) Schaefer, peacefully passed away on January 1, 2024, at the age of 95 in Aitkin, Minnesota. She looked upon her children and smiled as she took her final breath.  She was born on September 17, 1928, in Churchs Ferry, North Dakota, to Paul and Aagot (Nygaard) Severson.

Delores A. “Dee” Nelson, age 83, of New Prague, died peacefully at her home on Monday, January 8, 2024.  Dee was born on August 25, 1940, in Brainerd, to William and Irma (Anderson) Lenzen.  She proudly grew up on the Iron Range and graduated from Hibbing High School.  
She married Charles A. “Rocky” Nelson on May 1, 1965, in Minneapolis and the couple began their life in Minneapolis and moved to New Prague in June 1974.  Dee owned and operated, along with her husband, Helm Electric and Highlander Center, the laundromat in New Prague.  

Carol Anna Lambrecht, age 88, of Jordan, MN, passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, January 8, 2024, at St. Gertrudes Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shakopee, MN.

Eldon L. Davidson, age 79, of New Prague, died unexpectedly on Friday, December 29, 2023, shortly after his arrival for a long-anticipated winter stay in Naples, Florida.  Eldon was born on March 28, 1944, in Keokuk, IA to Clarence and Dovie (McCune) Davidson.  He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and attained his Bachelor of Arts Degree later in life.  Eldon married Jean C. Kunz on March 15, 1964, in Sutter, Illinois.  They made their home near Quincy, IL, and in 1988, moved to Minnesota. His profession was a computer programmer/analyst/consultant. 

Geraldine "Geri" Hope (Frye) Sandin, age 80, passed away on January 2, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by family. Geri was born January 30, 1943, in Clayton, Iowa to John and Lucille (Beckett) Frye.

On Saturday, Dec. 30, descendants of Francis Atherton Bean Sr. and Jr. were in New Prague to meet with the current and future owner of the Bean Mansion at 211 Second St. NW, which has been a home for many families.

More than 150 people, mostly children with their families, celebrated the new year early with a ball drop at noon during the second annual Noon Year’s Eve Ball Drop Sunday, Dec. 31, at Eagle View Elementary School in Elko New Market.
“It seemed like a bigger crowd than last year,” said Pastor Gordon Deuel of Crossroads Church, which hosted the event. “We had a good crew of volunteers and something fur for all ages.”

There’s little doubt 2023 was a good year in New Prague. The community is continuing to grow and, arguably, prosper. Its school children display their talents on many stages on a regular basis. The community has many reasons to look forward with great enthusiasm for its future.

The two end zones were uncharted territory when the Ptarmigans and Polars resumed their annual rivalry in the 64th annual SnoBowl tackle football game Saturday, Dec. 30, at Memorial Park.

Although the little steps toward getting better aren’t yet showing up in the win-loss column, the New Prague girls’ ice hockey team is taking small steps the Trojans hope will show up as they head into the conference season.
With about a month left in its season, New Prague is hoping for a turnaround. The Trojans need to win some games to receive a better seed, one that will spare them an opening round match against a powerhouse like Minnetonka. A year ago, the Trojans fell in their opening section game, 14-1, to a Minnetonka team that reached the state tournament.

The American Legion in Montgomery has had a banner out front for a few weeks now advertising a new restaurant coming called Taco Terco. It is a partnership between the Legion and Taco Terco’s owners, Chef Daniel Garza and his wife Cara Sutton. The restaurant is set to open in the first part of January 2024.

Clarence Gosewisch, age 99, of Bloomington passed away peacefully on Friday, November 10, 2023.
Clarence spent his final days at the N. C. Little Hospice House surrounded by family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Eleanor; his wife Donna and brothers, Howard and Don. He is survived by his sister Betty, sister-in-law Loretta, long time companion and dear friend Peggy as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary T. Bartusek, age 91 of Lonsdale passed away December 25, 2023. Mary was born October 13, 1932, to Thomas and Emma Voracek.
Mary was married on Sept. 16, 1952, to Charles Bartusek in Lonsdale and raised their family near New Prague. They moved to Shieldsville and owned Charlie's Supper Club, then retired in Faribault.
She enjoyed playing cards, reading, crossword puzzles, and quilting. Mary was a member of KC Ladies Auxiliary, regent of the Daughters of Isabelle, and sang as a member of Montgomery Czech singers.

(June 29, 1958 - December 24, 2023 )
Kenneth D. Vosejpka, age 65 of Lonsdale passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on December 24, 2023.  Ken loved his family and would do anything for them.  Ken was a master at the grill and always had a cold beer in the refrigerator for anyone who stopped by the man shed. Ken enjoyed listening to the Monkees and Christmas music all year long. Ken was also a collector of many things and found lots of joy in his pennies. So next time you see a penny, pick it up and think of Ken.