John Michael Jirak, age 68, of New Prague, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, surrounded by his family.  John was born December 18, 1953 in New Prague, to Eugene and Marcella (Kocina) Jirak.  He grew up in rural New Prague and attended New Prague Schools.  He married Cindy Beer on August 30, 1983 and was later divorced.  John spent many years as a dairy farmer on the family farm.  John worked for Terry Fredrickson Landscaping for some years and became a Master Gardner.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM WEDNESDAY TO 3 AM CST THURSDAY... ...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT... ...WIND CHILL WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches. For the Winter Storm Watch, blizzard conditions possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. For the Wind Chill Watch, dangerously cold wind chills possible. Wind chills as low as 40 below zero.

Phyllis Maria Swidorski, age 83, of Montgomery, died on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Mayo Systems Hospital in New Prague. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with funeral service at 11:00 a.m., all held at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery with Pastor Jason Pollington officiating. Interment will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Montgomery at a later date.

The Elko New Market City Council agreed unanimously to continue a public hearing from the evening of Thursday, Dec. 15, to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20. The hearing was about a water bottling facility proposed by Niagara Bottling. The nearly five hour Dec. 15 meeting had presentations from Elko New Market city staff and Niagara Bottling about the facility and comments, at time passionate, from Elko New Market residents and New Market Township residents, the majority of whom are against the project.

Crash on Hwy 13/19 east of New Prague. Highway appears to be closed from east and west.
See more in a upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

Dr. John Lunseth of Rush City passed away on Monday, December 12, 2022 at Hometown Senior Living in Woodbury at the age of 95.
John Bentley Lunseth was born October 22, 1927 to Oscar and Sophia (Bentley) Lunseth in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Because of a technical glitch. The sports preview insert for this week's addition of The New Prague Times was not inserted. It will be in next week's (12/22) paper.

Carole Jean (Warmelin) Janke, 78, beloved mother and grandma, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2022, in Jordan, Minnesota after an ongoing battle with brain cancer. Carole was born to Lawrence and Leota Warmelin in St Paul, Minnesota on May 26, 1944. Carole was the tomboy of their four daughters. She enjoyed playing softball and hated wearing dresses. Carole graduated from Robbinsdale High School. Her professions included hairdresser, soldering circuit boards, and working for several decades in nursing homes.

Agnes E. “Aggie” DeGross, age 84, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, December 9, 2022 at her home at Praha Village in New Prague.  Aggie was born on June 21, 1938 in New Market Township to Alois and Susan (Friedges) Wagner.  She attended St. Nicholas Catholic School where she first met the young man who captured her heart.  On September 13, 1958 she and Ronald L. DeGross were married at St.

Andrew John Regenscheid was born on August 3, 1938 to Joseph F. and Esther L. (Harty) Regenscheid in Cleveland, MN.  Andy passed away on December 7, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Hospital in New Prague, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 11:00 am at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with visitation from 9-10:45 am. Military honors will be provided by the Montgomery area Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

New Prague Area Schools Superintendent Tim Dittberner notified the district’s staff this morning, Thursday, Dec. 8, of his intention to retire effective June 30, 2023.
Dittberner will formally notify the school board in writing at its meeting Monday, Dec. 12. He will have completed 10 years as the district’s superintendent. Dittberner wrote to the staff he is not burned out. He is healthy and feels good, he wrote in his letter to staff.
“Ten years is a long time in this position. It is time for a change,” he wrote.

Richard A. “Dick” Prokes, age 72, of Faribault, died peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at Allina Health Faribault Medical Center.  Dick was born on November 16, 1950 in New Prague to James E.

Caroline Pauline Shimota, age 90, of Webster, died peacefully, surrounded by family on December 3, 2022.  Caroline was born on June 22, 1932 at their home farm in Veseli to Ladislav J. “Laddy” and Anna A. (Pavek) Novak.  She attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School until 8th grade and then left to help out on the family farm. 

Nearly 40 people participated in the Fifth annual Santa Speedo Dash Saturday, Dec. 3, starting at Giesenbrau Bier Co. in New Prague. It was 7 degrees Fahrenheit making for a very brisk 1K run that was open to all ages with several people dressed in Christmas themed clothing. The run was to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

Joseph George Simon,  “Joe” age 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home on December 1, 2022. Joe was born July 15, 1942 to Joe and Bernice (Weiderholt) Simon. He married Sandee Kaufenberg on August 10, 1963. They spent 59 years loving each other and creating a beautiful family. 
 Joe is preceded in death by his parents Joe and Bernice Simon, siblings Lois (Ben) Ries, Melvin (Arlene) Simon, Marlene (Don) Hanson, Jerry Simon, Sis (Dwane) Bergstrom, Sister Zita, Betty Kleindl, and infant sister Nancy, and granddaughter Julett Simon.