Irma F. (Kovarik) Langer, age 96, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2026.

Irma was born on June 9, 1930, in Minneapolis to Frank and Julianna (Krepela) Kovarik. She grew up in Montgomery, where she graduated from high school before continuing her education at Mankato State, where she received her teacher training.

    Montgomery’s Eva Tikalsky was crowned 2026-2027 Miss Czech-Slovak Minnesota Queen during the pageant Saturday evening at the Park Ballroom in New Prague.
    The daughter of Naima du Chatellier and Christopher Tikalsky, Eva Tikalsky was joined on stage by first princess Wren Zwaschka of Mankato and second princess Evelyn Winget of Nerstrand. The junior ambassadors chosen are Annika Budin of Montgomery, Lillian Skluzacek of Nerstrand, Cailyn Meadows of Montgomery, Abigail Mader of Kilkenny and Clara Winget of Nerstrand.

Garold “Gary” Joseph Skluzacek, born December 9, 1950, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, September 19, 2026.

Gary proudly served in the military reserves and went on to a successful career, eventually becoming Vice President of Bakery Equipment Sales at Horizon Equipment.

The St. Paul Czech & Slovak Dancers perform at the Chamber Beer Garden during Dozinky, Saturday morning, Sept. 19, in New Prague. A mist of rain didn’t stop the group from making its annual appearance at the Czech harvest festival in New Prague held in the city’s downtown and in Memorial Park.

Patrick Fisher photo

Despite the rain, the Car Cruise of classic cars happened Friday evening, Sept. 18, with people lining the route down New Prague’s Main Street. People came prepared with rain jackets and umbrellas to watch the vintage vehicles and to enjoy an assortment of foods. The Car Cruise is part of Dozinky, New Prague’s Czech harvest festival that will continue tomorrow (Saturday) with activities for children, music and a parade at noon. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times.

Patrick Fisher photo

New Prague High School named its Homecoming king and queen candidates Friday, Sept. 18. King candidates are (back row, left to right) Evan Otremba, Nolan Laine, Carter Den Hartog, Grady Neisen, Spencer Bahn, Owen Johnson, Riley Krocak, Drew Britten; queen candidates are (front row, left to right) Claire Erickson, Kendall Hauck, Orelia Slavik, Summer Engel, Courtney Nelson, Sophia Lee, Mckenna Noble and Irelin Brockoff.

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Erlin “Sandy” Rank of New Prague received the Ultimate Honor from members of New Prague American Legion Auxiliary Unit 45 and the New Prague Honor Guard at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.

The event recognizes military veterans for their service who are usually at the end of life, said Joni Tikalkaky, president of the auxiliary. “We give them a military blanket that represents the branch they served in,” Tikalsky said. Rank served in the Navy. He was a seaman apprentice-E2. Rank also received a certificate and a pin.

Orrin Bernard Retka, age 90, of Montgomery, formerly of St. Thomas, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2026, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.

Irene (Krause) Bednar, age 98, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.  

Irene Margaret Krause was born in Le Sueur, Minnesota, on January 14,1928, to Ernest and Mary (Morganthalar) Krause.  She attended grade school at St. Anne’s Catholic School and graduated from Le Sueur High School in 1945. 

Due to weather forcasted for tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 18, the Trojan football game has moved from Friday night to TONIGHT, Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Rochester. 

Along East Main Street, crews have been busy installing a new gas main pipes.

The project is being done by CenterPoint Energy through NPL Construction of Lakeville, said New Prague’s Public Works Director Matt Rynda.

Tina Zackova (left), Marwan Qasim and (right) Youssef Shahin stopped in New Prague recently to visit the community after hearing about its Czech history. Zackova is full-blooded Czech and Qasim is serving a research fellowship for Mayo Health Systems in Rochester. The trio noted the mural along East Main Street – Bohemian Brass Band – artist Greg Preslicka, a New Prague native now living in Savage, completed updating the mural Sunday, Sept. 13. (John Mueller photo)

Karolina "Lina" Janovsky, age 93, of Montgomery, passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Cura Care Center in Le Sueur.

Mamie Helen (Stehlik) Busch, of Jordan, MN, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the age of 87.

    A 911 call on Friday, Sept. 2, at MGM Apartments in Lonsdale, 321 Southeast 1st Avenue,  is a suspected suicide. 
    Lonsdale Police Chief Jason Schmitz said that a call came in at 12:09 p.m. for a welfare check by the person’s employer after they had not showed up to work the last three days.

Virginia Clara (Zaun) Beuch, age 101, of New Prague, formerly of Lydia, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2026. Virginia was born on May 17, 1925, in Cedar Lake Township and grew up on the family farm. She was the eldest of 3 girls born to George Jr. and Clara (Scheffler) Zaun.