Crews place temporary cluster boxes outside of the New Prague Post Office on Thursday, Aug. 19. The New Prague Post Office will temporarily close beginning Saturday, Aug. 21, to undergo floor repair. The post office will tentatively be closed for 26 days with the lobby also closed. Customers who have PO Boxes in the New Prague Post Office will be able to use the cluster boxes for their mail. A key for the cluster box will be in their PO Box on Friday, Aug. 20. Mail can still be dropped off at the blue mail boxes and will still be picked up.

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.

Marion Sirek, age 94, of Lonsdale, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2021. Marion was born October 28, 1926 to Frances and Thomas Kes in Lonsdale, MN. She attended Catholic School in Lonsdale at Immaculate Conception and on October 15, 1946 married John F. Sirek. Together they farmed and raised their 9 children. Marion was a member of the Lonsdale Legion Auxiliary and past president, the Council of Catholic Women, and a Eucharistic Minister for Immaculate Conception Church.

Minnwest Bank and Roundbank announced on Thursday, Aug. 12, the signing of an agreement to merge. Completion of the transaction, which is currently expected to occur by the end of 2021, is contingent upon regulatory approval.

Generations Theatre Company took its cast from its summer production “Blame it on the Movies” on the road on Thursday, Aug. 12. The tour consisted of stops at Tradtions of Montgomery, Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Center and Praha Village, the senior apartment facility, both in New Prague. The group sang songs from “Blame it on the Movies,” which consisted of songs from various time periods of the silver screen.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
will be held every Thursday at Rice County Public Health, 320 NW 3rd Street, Faribault 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. throughout August and September  
Rice County Public Health continues to host COVID-19 vaccination clinics every Thursday from 9:00 – 4:00 p.m.  These clinics are open to those 12 years and older, with all three vaccines available.

The Czech Heritage Club will hold its August program on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at the Lonsdale Public Library, 1006 Birch St NE, Lonsdale, at 7 p.m. 
All Czech Heritage Club members and the public are invited to attend this free event. The program will be a “History of Lonsdale” presented by Steve Vosejpka.

David Allen Halvorson, age 74, of New Prague, MN, died on Wednesday August 11, 2021 in his home surrounded by his family after 14-month battle with leukemia. David was born on November 14, 1946 in Morristown, MN, to Bernard and Adeline [Schmidtke] Halvorson. He married Julie Novotny on June 22, 1968 in New Prague, MN, and was married for 46 years.

Patricia M. Marxen, age 89, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Pat was born on October 4, 1931 in Chicago, IL to John H. and Gaile Emily (LaLonde) Mulligan, Sr.  She graduated from Jordan High School and married Norbert J. “Nubs” Marxen on November 25, 1950 at St.

Sandra Rae Korba, age 69, of New Prague, formerly of Montgomery, died suddenly but peacefully in her sleep at home on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.  Sandra was born on February 20, 1952 in Jackson, Minnesota to Raymond and Laila (Grantz) Schroeder.  She grew up in Jackson, attending elementary school there and graduated from Shakopee High School after the family’s move.  She attended the University of Minnesota for a short time before marrying Robert Korba on June 24, 1978 in Shakopee.  Sandra worked at many careers during her life: as a waitress, for a number of years as an accountant with N

Due to a breakdown at the printing press in Princeton, MN, the August 12th issues of The New Prague Times, Montgomery Messenger and the LifeEnterprise, which are mailed, will be a day late.
Area newsstand papers will be available on Wednesday as usual.
We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Gary Michael “Hammer” Flicek, 69, of Montgomery passed away peacefully at his home after an eleven-year battle against cancer, surrounded by family and friends on August 4, 2021.
Funeral services and visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 18th, 2021, at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Montgomery, MN. Visitation will be held from 12:30p.m.-3:30p.m with mass to follow. Burial will be at a later date. Luncheon will be held at the American Legion in Montgomery. Officiating will be Father Thomas Neihaus.

Irene Marie “Dottie” Pyka, 93, Jordan, formerly of Royalton, October 29, 1927-August 6, 2021.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, August 16, 2021, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Opole for Irene Marie “Dottie” Pyka, age 93, who died Friday at her daughter’s home in Royalton. Rev. Eugene Theisen will officiate, and burial will be in the parish cemetery immediately following mass.  Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service on Monday at the church in Opole. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids.

John J. Zvanovec, age 81, of Cambridge died July 30, 2021 at home.
John Joseph Zvanovec was born October 16, 1939 in New Prague, Minnesota to George and Julia (Schoenbauer) Zvanovec.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and New Prague High School, graduating in 1958.  John proudly served his country in the USMC from June 10, 1958 – June 1, 1962.  On October 17, 1964 he married Lillian Trnka in Veseli, Minnesota.  In 1969 they moved to Cambridge.  John was a trucker and member of Teamsters Local 120.  He was also a member of the Cambridge American Legion. 

Barbara A. (Klaras) Kivisto, age 52, from Webster, MN died peacefully at home after a 3 year battle with cancer, on July 20, 2021 with her husband at her side.

A large crowd was at Memorial Park on Thursday, Aug. 5, for Czech Out New Prague, for fun, entertainment, information and food. Held from 5-8 p.m. there was a steady stream of people coming through to look at the nearly 50 exhibitors and find out what New Prague has to offer for businesses, non-profits and other groups. Among the demonstrations were ones by New Prague ATA Family Martial Arts and To the Pointe Dance Academy. Weather in the 80s helped to bring out the crowds. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)