The New Prague Fire Department was called to a fire in pole shed/garage in Heidelberg, southwest of New Prague, at 3:49 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16. The structure, belonging to the Crystal and Kevin Zvanovec family, was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. About three vehicles and tools were lost in the fire. A nearby ice fishing house also caught on fire. None of the family was injured. A cause of the fire was unknown.

Investigators have determined the case of a deceased man found in the driveway of a house at 11450 275th St. E. in New Market Township last fall is a homicide.
According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, Jose Manuel Rosales Madrigal, 18, was killed in what the medical examiner’s office has deemed “complex homicidal violence.”
Sheriff’s deputies and police were dispatched to the house in New Market Township at 7:50 a.m. Oct. 7, 2022.

Marvin R. Wondra, age 91, of Montgomery, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023 at Traditions of Montgomery. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 19 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 20 at 11 a.m. with visitation 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. all held at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Fr. Tom Niehaus officiating. Interment will be held at a later date in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

Beth Ann Chapman, age 56, of St. Paul, passed away on February 4, 2023.
Beth “Banny” was born to parents, Harvey and Eileen (Foss) Chapman on September 10, 1966 in Edina, MN, before moving to Montgomery in 1970. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery, MN. She graduated from Montgomery-Lonsdale High School in 1985 and attended St. Cloud State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

Corinne (Connie) Suel Turek, 92, of Bay Village, Ohio, passed away February 8. Connie was born on October 27, 1930 in New Prague to Leonard and Eleanor (Nurenberg) Suel. She attended St. Wenceslaus Elementary School and New Prague High School.
She is survived by her husband Richard (Dick) Turek, childhood playmate, high school sweetheart and husband of 69 years; six children, sons Paul (Abby) of Waconia, MN, James (Susie)of Westlake, OH and Christopher (Monica) of Naples, FL; daughters Susan Miles (Kevin) of Louisville, KY, Dr. Margaret of Half Moon Bay, CA and Jennifer

Shirley M. Britten,  age 80, of Webster., passed away February 7, 2023.  Preceded in death by parents David and Ruth and brother Duane.  

Richard (Rick) Ray Rogers, age 77, of New Prague, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on January 31, 2023. Rick was born February 16, 1945 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Delmar and Eleanor (Brown) Rogers. He was the second oldest out of three. He grew up in Bloomington helping raise and train collies along with his sister and her pet raccoon. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1964. After high school he worked various jobs before getting into the family business at United Steel Products Company, Inc. He married Betty Steinhouse on December 12, 1970 in Bloomington.

The Friends of the Montgomery Public Library will be hosting Everything Chocolate and More event on Friday, February 10, 2023, at Next Chapter Winery from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The fundraising event will include a sampling of various chocolates and other taste-bud pleasing snacks, plus a silent auction and a raffle.
Advance tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Posy Floral, Herrmann Drug or the Montgomery Public Library. Tickets at the door will be $25 each. Each admission ticket includes two drink tickets. Everyone over 21 is welcome to attend.

After a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 28 at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery, mourners for Officer Gordon Prochaska gathered outside for a law enforcement salute. Attending were personnel from Le Sueur County Sheriff's Department, Montgomery Police Department, and the Montgomery Ambulance and Fire Departments. Prochaska, 71, passed away at his residence in Florence, Arizona, on Saturday, January 7, from complications of contracting COVID-19. Gordon, affectionately known as “Gordy” by many, was a part-time Montgomery police officer for 33 years.

Lorna Docken passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on February 3, 2023 at the Northfield Retirement Community.

Mary Lucille Jirak, age 93, of New Prague, died peacefully surrounded by family on January 29, 2023, at MCHS Hospital, Mankato.  Mary was born on May 20, 1929 at St. Thomas in Derrynane Township, Le Sueur County, Minnesota to Richard J. and Nora E. (Sullivan) Shaughnessy.  She graduated from Le Sueur High School in 1946.  Mary received Teacher Training in Mankato and taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Le Sueur County. She married her husband of almost 70 years, Clarence, on May 23, 1953 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in St. Thomas.  She was very proud of her Irish heritage.

Daniel H. “Danny” Tietz, age 85, of New Prague, Minnesota died peacefully on Saturday, January 28, 2023, surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Hospital in New Prague.  Danny was born February 21, 1937 in New Prague, Minnesota to Adolph A. and Ethel (Scharf) Tietz.

Susan K. Kriha, age 57, of New Prague, passed away suddenly at her home Sunday, January 29, 2023.  Sue was born February 24, 1965 in New Prague to Leonard F. and Mary Lou (Blasnitz) Kriha.  Growing up in New Prague, Sue graduated from New Prague High School, and Mankato State College.  She worked for over twenty years as a paraprofessional in the New Prague School District.
When not working Sue thoroughly enjoyed time with her three nephews, grandnephew and grandniece.  Around town she was a regular at local Bingo gatherings.

The Elko New Market City Council unanimously approved a request from the Minnesota DNR (Department of Natural Resources) for a 30-day extension on its decision of whether an EAW (Environmental Assessment Worksheet) is needed for a water bottling plant proposed by Niagara Bottling LLC. The decision came during a special meeting the evening of Thursday, Jan. 19.
City staff presented the request to the council which extends the deadline from Thursday, Jan. 26, to Saturday, Feb. 25.

New Prague High School’s dance team won its own invitational Saturday, Jan. 21, as both the varsity jazz and varsity high kick groups placed first in their events.
New Prague will next be at the Mounds View High School competition Saturday, Jan. 28.
“It was exciting, well deserved. The girls worked hard for it. It was a great feeling,” said New Prague head coach Tiffany Sandhurst about the Jan. 21 invite. “So many people came out to support them that it was just a special feeling for the teams.”

For the second straight year, New Prague High School won first place at the Metro West Conference One-Act Play Festival. There were five schools participating in the festival Saturday, Jan. 21, in New Prague High School’s auditorium.
New Prague’s production was “Eurydice,” by Sarah Ruhl. The play is a modern adaptation of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, except it is told from Eurydice’s point of view.
Ben Thietje, director of NPHS’ one act, said the students beat out Chanhassen by one point.