The Elko New Market Police Department reported in a press release that, "On Tuesday, Dec. 21, at approximately 12:20 p.m., New Market Bank in Elko New Market was robbed. No weapon was implied or brandished. Nobody was injured during the incident. The robber fled with an undisclosed amount of money. There is no reason to believe that there is a threat to the general public. The robbery is currently under investigation." For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

Virgil Anthony Gast, age 81, of Jordan, was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He was called home by our LORD on December 18, 2021. The family will greet guests on Tuesday, December 28 from 5pm-7pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation in Jordan. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
Virgil was born on February 23, 1940, in St. Bonifacius, MN to Celestine “Sam” Gast and Anna (Laumann) Gast.  He is the second oldest of seven boys. He graduated from Jordan High School in 1959. 

Our eldest daughter, Eve Marie Musil, passed away on December 13, 2021 in Gilbert, AZ.  She put up a good two-and-a-half-year fight against cancer!   She fought the battles but, in the end, she lost the war.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, with other area law enforcement, held its Shop with a Cop the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague. There were 23 children that participated in the annual event that allows children to find gifts for family members and something for themselves.

Kimberly Anne Dvoracek-Anderson, 41, of Elko New Market, Minn., was welcomed into her Heavenly home on Dec 14, 2021.
Kim was born to Gary and Janice (Kenne) Dvoracek of Holmen, Wisc., on Dec. 2, 1980, at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse, Wisc., and was the middle of three closely-knit daughters.

The New Prague School District responded to two concerning posts that came through social media. One was an anonymous nationwide threat advocating violence against schools on Friday, Dec. 17, that was being shared on TikTok. The other media post was directed at New Prague and used a racial slur that people “Watch yo backs.”

Edward F. “Eddie” Wieskus, age 92, of New Prague, formerly of Fulda, died peacefully with his family at his side, on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at his home at Praha Village.  Edward was born on November 26, 1929 in Jackson, MN to Frank and Julia (Macek) Wieskus.  He graduated from Jackson High School in 1947 and entered the Army National Guard until 1951 and was a proud member of the American Legion.  He met the woman who would become his cherished partner at a dance and married Jeanette Odenbrett on June 7,  1958 at St.

Lawrence “Chappy” Plonsky, 88, of Heidelberg, passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Fairmont. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 20, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Heidelberg. Interment will be held in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lexington.

Ronald R. Vesely, age 72 of Webster, MN passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 12, 2021.
Ronnie was born on November 30, 1949 in New Prague, the son of Ray and Hattie Vesely. He married the love of his life, Marilyn Kubes, on May 5, 1973. They were blessed with five children and four grandchildren.
Ronnie served in the US Army Reserves and worked as a Tool and Die Maker for Thermo King for 37 years before retiring in 2006. He also farmed approximately 80 acres every year planting mostly beans, corn and wheat. 

A December rainbow stretched across New Prague’s Main Street the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 15. A light drizzle led to the rainbow, in some places a double rainbow, as the sky began to clear. The weather forecast for the evening and night calls for the possibility of high winds and rain, a change from the colder temperatures and snow that hit the area nearly a week ago. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

James A. “Jim” Pumper, age 62, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at his home on Monday, December 13, 2021.  Jim was born on August 11, 1959 to Myles and Dorothy (Moll) Pumper.  He grew up in Le Center and attended Le Center High School.  Jim was a self-taught mechanic, learning many of his skills through watching and with the help of his father.  Many knew Jim personally from the various automotive repair shops in the area.  Even in retirement, he spent his time doing various automotive tasks for family and friends.  He married Laurie J.

Jim Pumper, age 62, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at his home on Monday, December 13, 2021.
Wife, Laurie; Mother, Dorothy; Sister, Sue.  Services are pending.

Eve Musil, age 52, of Gilbert, AZ, formerly of New Prague, and daughter of Nancy and Roger, died Monday, December 13, 2021. Services at a later date.

Dr. Michael (Mike) Kilpatrick, age 66. Dr. Mike went peacefully from the loving arms of his family into the arms of Jesus on December 10, 2021. Dr. Mike was a wonderful husband to Diana for 42 years, a terrific father to Michael (Renee), Jimmy, Jenna (Andy) and his fur pup Carly, and an amazing Papa to Declan and Silya. Also survived by many loving relatives and friends.
Preceded to glory by his parents, John and Jackie Kilpatrick, his sister, Mary Kilpatrick and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edwin and Gay Newinski.

On December 13, 2021, Willis Albert Miller, age 83, passed from the loving arms of family into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father. Willis was born to William and Clara Miller on October 8, 1938 in Slayton, MN. He accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 12, and was baptized at the age of 23.

Ronald Vycital, age 75, of Elko, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at his home surrounded by his children. Memorial service will be at 11a.m. on Saturday, December 18 at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. Rev. Mark Johnson will officiate. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. on Friday at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning. Interment with military honors will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.