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.

Donald Machacek, 90, of Bloomington passed away peacefully on December 8, 2021. 
He is survived by his wife Audrey of 65 years and sons Bruce (Brenda), Jeff (Lorrie Beckley), Brian (Ann), Dale, grandchildren Samantha (Justin), Andrew, Anthony, Jason and great-grandchildren Elijah and Lucian.  Also, brother Leonard (Jan) and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents George and Bessie, brothers Lawrence (LaVerna) and Bernard (Carol), nephew Dan and many sisters-and brothers-in-law.

Veronica “Ronnie” Stevens Yearneau, age 95, of Waconia, formerly of  Eden Prairie, died peacefully on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Good Samaritan Society in Waconia.  Veronica was born a twin on June 27, 1926 in Mendota, Minnesota to Martin and Susan (Hart) Stevens.  She grew up in Westbrook, MN where she graduated from Westbrook High School.  She married Fredrick W. Yearneau on December 29, 1951 at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.  No stranger to tragedy, Veronica would bury both her husband and her son.

Thomas J. Shriver, age 87, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery. A celebration of life will be held in spring 2022.
Thomas was born to Michael Raymond and Agnes Loretta (Reedy) Shriver on September 10, 1934, in Watertown, SD. He married Dorothy Hillstad on April 2, 1954, and they raised a family of five children.

Le Sueur County received $3.7 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), part of a $2.2 trillion federal economic stimulus bill that was passed in March 2020 in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, how did the county spend those dollars?

The Elko New Market City Council held its Truth in Taxation presentation during its Thursday, Dec. 2, meeting. The council moved its two December meetings to earlier in the month due to the Christmas holiday. The Truth in Taxation presentation is a chance for residents to either provide input or to voice concerns about the city’s proposed budget, none was given.
City Administrator Tom Terry presented the preliminary 2022 budget, which was adopted in September and the proposed levy will result in an annual tax impact of...

The New Prague wrestling team hosted an invitational Saturday, Dec. 4 and picked up three straight dual meet victories.
The Trojans defeated Austin (69-12), East Ridge (80-0), and St. Peter (40-27).
Senior Noah Block, sophomore Destiney Lofton, and eighth grader Peyton Elgren each won their first varsity matches.
In the win over Austin, New Prague received seven forfeits and a win by default. Koy Buesgens (132), Colton Bornholdt (152), and Evan Anderson (195) each won by fall.

While there was no snow on Saturday, Dec. 4, temperatures in the 30s provided for a good, although chilly day for the Santa Speedo Dash at Giesenbrau Bier Co. in New Prague. There were 52 runners who braved the cold 1K race that raised about $1,373 for the Alzheimer’s Association.
The majority of those who ran the 1 kilometer, or lessthan half a mile, race were adults, although minors could also participate. Jay Bolton, age 15, ran the race for his father, Tim Bolton of Montgomery, who was diagnosed in 2020 with Early- Onset Alzheimer’s.

The New Prague girls basketball team opened its 2021-22 season with three tough losses to Big Nine Conference schools.
The Trojans led 31-29 at half Nov. 30 against Owatonna but ended up on the short end of a 58-45 score. Avery Hennen scored 15 points and Payton Morris added 12 points and Taylor Hemann added seven points off the bench.
“We played with great energy in the first half,” head coach Eric Specht said. “Defensively we rotated very well and contested shots.”

MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is preparing motorists for forecasted heavy snowfall rates Friday morning through Saturday morning. The heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are expected to reduce visibility, cause compaction on the roadways, and make travel difficult in south central and southwest Minnesota. 

November 11, 1955 – November 30, 2021
Judy Cay Dohm, age 66, fought a courageous three-year battle with Leukemia that ended on November 30th. She passed peacefully at the University of Minnesota Medical Center with her beloved cousin Lora at her side, and her family having had the opportunity to say their heartfelt, and all too soon, goodbyes. 
Born to Lonnie and Lois Webb on November 11, 1955, in Rockford, IL, the Webb family moved to New Prague in 1970, where Judy graduated from high school in 1973.  She loved farm life, was active in FFA and had a passion for horses. 

Bernadine Ardell Struck, 72, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on November 30, 2021. The family is inviting friends to pay their respects on Friday, December 17, 2021, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery.
Memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Frieden's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lanesburg. Interment will be held in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at a later date.