Mary Ellen Hrabe Simek, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Mary Ellen was born on October 7, 1932, in New Prague to John J. and Agatha E. (Busch) Barten.  She graduated from New Prague High School and married Albert Hrabe at St. Wenceslaus Church on June 5, 1958.  After Albert died in 1986, Mary Ellen married Joseph Simek on June 21, 1991.  

Dorothy L. Dohmen, age 89, of Montgomery, formerly of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Friday, December 15, 2023.  Dorothy was born on May 6, 1934, in Primghar, IA, to Roy and Doris (Orchard) Hardin.  Dorothy met a young man, Raymond Francis Dohmen, while she was working for the Daughters of the American Revolution National Office in Washington DC.  They married on July 1, 1954, in Ft. Belvoir, VA.  

New Prague High School’s club bowling team finished 11th at the state meet Dec. 3 at Concord Lanes in South St. Paul.
The Trojans finished 11th in a field of 24 teams, just 59 pins shy of a top-eight finish in the state.
The team’s scores are determined by having all five participants roll in a game. Bowlers throw the first and sixth frames, the second and seventh, the third and eighth, fourth and ninth and fifth and 10th frames.

For the second consecutive year, Santa will have a hideaway near New Prague where children and families can visit with him and get photos.
Santa, also known as Jim Prokes, will have visits in his sleigh in his yard along Drexel Avenue north of New Prague. People can find out when visits will be happening at Santa’s Hideaway - New Prague on Facebook.
“Last year we had no blow-up decorations, one sleigh and a little Santa (decoration),” said Santa Prokes about the first year he, his wife and daughter, Jayme, did the visits at their property.

A couple weeks after the flags and cups were pulled for the season, Mother Nature gave the staff at New Prague Golf Club and area courses a rare opportunity at bonus rounds.

Nancy Dorshak, age 85, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at her home.  Nancy was born on October 3, 1938, in New Prague, to Ronald A. and Angeline (Meskal) Novotny.  She attended Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School, graduated as the salutatorian from Montgomery High School, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from the College of St.

We learned this past week consumer spending in Minnesota has been at a level contributing to yet another projected budget surplus.
Wasting no time, Education Minnesota, the union representing teachers in the state, offered its opinion the state should continue to help fund teachers’ wages at a level able to address the shortage of instructors. E-12 education is already among the largest line items in the state’s biennial budget. Being a teacher is challenging and at times under-appreciated yet vitally important work.

Sheryl “Sheri” Skluzacek of Lonsdale passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on December 12. Sheri was born on March 5, 1966, in New Prague to Donald and Grace (Sevcik) Sticha. Sheri was married 37 years to Vernon Skluzacek and together they shared a life with 3 children and 7 grandchildren with another one on the way. Sheri was a Rural Carrier in Lonsdale for 15+ years and enjoyed many activities.

Shirley Ann Mann passed away on December 13, 2023, at the age of 83 at her home in New Prague. 
She was born February 15, 1940, in International Falls, MN, to William and Gertrude (Blake) Napper. 
On November 8, 1958, she was united in marriage to Elroy “Bud” Mann. The couple moved to Minneapolis and also lived in Brooklyn Center and Burnsville. Shirley spent over 35 years working at Unisys in St. Paul. After retirement, Shirley moved to New Prague to be closer to family. 

Despite their record not being where the Trojans want it to be, New Prague High School girls’ ice hockey coach Madison Drazan sees progress.
At 2-6-1, the first-year New Prague coach said her players continue to work hard in games and daily practices. The players are adapting to new offensive and defensive systems. The team endured a pair of tough setbacks in the past week, losses that could leave players down.
“Everybody is continuing to work hard and keep trying to get better. That’s the most important thing, this team is committed to getting better,” Drazan said.

This story has been updated.
Fire broke out in a structure on the 9000 block of Union Hill Boulevard in Belle Plaine Township just outside of the city of Belle Plaine Tuesday morning, Dec. 12.

Larry Douglas Coon, 67, of Webster, MN, passed away peacefully at home December 3, 2023.
Larry was born September 11, 1956, to Patricia and Louis Coon in Creston, IA.
After Larry graduated from Mankato West High School in 1974, he went on to study Horticulture and Landscape design at Brainerd Vocational Technical Institute.
While at school he met Janyce (Jan) Swanson. They were married at Spring Garden Lutheran Church, Cannon Falls, MN, May 3, 1980.

Carolyn C. Stark, age 82, of Shakopee, MN, entered eternal life on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.
Carolyn was born May 5, 1941, along with her twin brother Caroll, in Caribou, Maine, the daughter of Aleck and Minnie (Landean) Zetterman. She was 1 of 10 children, and raised on a farm in New Sweden, Maine.

A gentle snow fell and brought a festive feeling to the activities of Frosty Fest in Lonsdale on Small Business Saturday.
The snow brought slippery conditions to the roads and for those walking about, forcing everyone to slow their pace.
Shops in Lonsdale had special extended hours encouraging residents to shop at their local stores. Many businesses offered specials but the highlight for many was Something For All’s Winter Wonderland.

Jacob Tanner Feneis, age 40, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at his home on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.
Jacob was born in New Prague on February 19, 1983 to Tom and Lynn (Liebhard) Feneis and attended New Prague Schools. He went on to attend Metro State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with an emphasis in English. He taught in both the St. Paul and Minneapolis School Districts.

It was a busy evening in New Prague as the community held its 27th Annual Holiday Parade of Lights and Celebration.
There were about 30 entries in the parade along Main Street, including this one from the New Prague Area Figure Skating Club. The festivities continued in Memorial Park with the tree lighting, fireworks, children visiting with Santa and hot cocoa.
Before the parade there was a Live Nativity scene at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.
For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)