Lillian Cecelia Malecha-Novotny, age 94 of Montgomery, passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Mala Strana Health Care in New Prague. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:30 a.m. all at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

My “luck of the Irish” came to a screeching halt this past St. Patrick’s Day when I lost my soulmate, Chuck. Who would have thought as I walked into his hospital room that morning and he was complimenting me on my new shamrock shirt that by late evening he would be gone! I lost the love of my life. But I wasn’t the only one who experienced this unthinkable loss…so did our family and friends…and so did New Prague. This community lost one of its stellar cheerleaders.

There’s something about the responsibility and caring for a horse and what the animal gives back to caregivers that brings peace to the people who come to HIS Haven Ranch.
The ranch offers people who suffer from anxiety, depression, self-harm or suicidal thoughts, even eating disorders a mix of spiritual security and purpose in the care of an animal willing to reciprocate almost unconditional affection. Recently, the ranch in rural Le Center celebrated its successes and honored the people who participate in its program at its fall show and picnic.

Carole Entinger had a need she couldn’t easily meet and feared it would cost her the opportunity to participate in one of her favorite activities. Thanks to New Prague American Legion Post 45, the local woman’s problems are behind her.

Keri A. Smith Metzdorff, age 51, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 17,, 2023, in Rochester, MN.

Scoring early and often, the New Prague High School football team steamrolled St. Cloud Tech, 35-7, in the Trojans' regular-season finale Wednesday evening, Oct. 18.
At 6-2, the win sends New Prague into the section playoffs on a roll with a two-game winning streak after the Oct. 6 loss to Northfield. The Trojans will learn their playoff seeding and opponent Thursday morning, Oct. 19.

UPDATED: Trojans will face Woodbury in state quarterfinal match Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., at Farmington High School.
After scoring two goals in the first half, the New Prague High School boys' soccer team withstood serious pressure from Lakeville North to win the Section 1AAA soccer championship match Tuesday night, Oct. 17, at Trojan Stadium.
Satchel Johnson scored the Trojans' two goals. His first goal gave NPHS a 1-0 lead. Lakeville North scored shortly thereafter before Johnson's second goal.

Lyle George Nagel, 80, of New Prague passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023, of cancer at his home in New Prague.
Lyle was born on December 14, 1942, to Henry and Lorraine Nagel. He was born on the family farm in Belle Plaine, MN. After graduation from Belle Plaine Senior High, Lyle served in the Army Reserves. In 1966, he married Mary Alice Bruzek, and moved to New Prague. They had two children, Amy and Chad. Lyle was employed at the flour mill in New Prague and remained with them throughout several ownership changes. He retired from Conagra in 2007.

Rita M. (Sevcik) Jasan, age 91, of Lonsdale, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis after a heart attack the previous Saturday. Rita was able to spend her last days visiting with all of her children and grandchildren. Her family and special friend Brenda took shifts sitting with her so she was never alone. When asked if she was ready to go to Heaven, she nodded and smiled.

JoAnn L. Meinke, age 90, of Northfield and formerly of Webster died on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Three Links Care Center, Northfield.
Private graveside services will be held for the family at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Webster.
Arrangements are being completed by the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault.

The New Prague Area School District’s board of directors have asked district taxpayers to support an additional $450 per student levy amounting to about $2 million in annual funding adjusted for inflation over the next 10 years.
It’s an important question, a big ask of taxpayers. We won’t suggest you should vote for it or against it. That’s a decision you get to make. We’ll only ask you make your decision based on facts and the answers to every good, tough and fair question you can think of.
That is your responsibility as one with the privilege of voting.

From the outside looking in, a rematch against Northfield down the road might be just what the New Prague High School football team would order up if it could.
Sadly, for the Trojans, such a possibility is not on the menu for now. They’ll have to live with the 22-19 loss and learn from mistakes that allowed the Raiders to escape Trojans Stadium with a win Friday, Oct. 6.

Superintendent presenting levy information to groups
New Prague Area Schools Superintendent Andy Vollmuth is looking for sizable groups of people who want to know more about the school district’s request for additional funding he admits “is a big ask.”

Orville Otto Schultz, age 86, of Webster, MN, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2023, in his lifelong home, surrounded by his family. He was born on June 5, 1937, in Faribault, MN, to Otto F. and Lydia A. (Haust) Schultz and baptized into Christ on June 28, 1937. He was confirmed on June 17, 1951. He attended school at St. John’s Parochial School and New Prague High School. He married Barbara Meinke on December 29, 1962, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster. Orvie was a third-generation dairy and crop farmer, taking over the family farm from his father and grandfather. 

Friday afternoon Sept. 29, June Cox walked out of Casey’s in New Prague holding hands with her seven grandchildren. It was to mark her retirement after 39 years of working for the local gas station and convenience store, with 35 years as the manager of the business.
“I’m so excited,” said Cox, who is planning to spend time with her grandchildren who are between the ages of 3 to 12. Her grandchildren also know this as each wore a T-shirt that read, “Grandma’s time now belongs to me.”

Connie Lou Pfeil, age 71, of Sioux City, Iowa, formerly of New Prague, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.  Her husband, John Stewart Pfeil, age 81, died just 2 months previously in Iowa on August 15, 2023. 
 Connie was born on February 11, 1952, in Sioux City, IA to Joe Pilcher and Frances Olson. John was born on May 12, 1942, in Burbank, CA to George & Ruth (McKay) Pfeil.