Rudolph J. Skluzacek, age 92 of Lonsdale, Minnesota, went home to the Lord on July 1, 2023.
He was born May 29, 1931 to Frank J. and Hedwig (Pekar) Skluzacek on the home farm in Wheatland Township.
Rudy farmed on the family century farm his entire life.  He also was employed at McQuay, in Faribault, and McNamara Construction. 
He served his country in Alaska during the Korean War.  He was a proud, active, lifetime member of the American Legion Post 586 for 71 years. 

Lillian J. “Bella” Hertaus, age 83, of New Prague, died unexpectedly, Friday, June 30, 2023, at her daughter’s home on the Whitefish chain in Pequot Lakes, MN. Bella was born on May 29, 1940 to John C. and Josephine (Douda) Mracek. She grew up in rural Northfield and was a 1958 graduate of Northfield High School. At 15, Bella met an “older gentleman” age 18, at a dance. She invited him to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance at her school. That was the start of a romance that would continue through his service in the US Navy and thereafter.

Runners from New Prague and the area were well represented at Grandma’s Marathon and the Gary Bjorklund Half-Marathon earlier this month.
New Prague’s Garren Hamby, 43, finished the Grandma’s Marathon between Two Harbors and Duluth in 3 Hours, 20 minutes, 43 seconds. He finished 1,308 of 6,689 marathon runners.

It was a very sad day for us when we lost our beloved Sister Paula on June 9th of this year.  The good news is that she moved on to the promised land of Heaven and was reunited with all her relatives and friends that loved her.
 Funeral services were held at the Saint Joseph Chapel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 21, June, 2023. 
Sister Paula was born in New Prague, Minnesota on March 19, 1927 and lived on the family farm on Highway 23, 1 mile north of the Rice County line.

Maybe you read about Larry Olimb over the weekend. If you love ice hockey, you might have heard the former U of M standout defenseman and former professional lost his job as head girls’ coach at Orono High School.
Some say he was run out of the job. Others think he has nobody to blame but the guy in the mirror. The only hope here is nobody in New Prague ever endures the same treatment.
And if it has happened, we hope it won’t happen again.

There’s a brief moment just before the first shell is propelled into the heavens above where members of the crew from RES Pyrotechnics holds its breath and hopes they did everything right during the setup.
After that, the crew enjoys the show just like everyone else.
RES Pyrotechnics of rural New Prague is the company providing the fireworks and crew entertaining people of all ages with the fireworks shows throughout the year. New...
To see more on this story pick up the June 29, 2023 print edition of The New Prague Times

William Mathew "Nick" Nickolay, age 84 of St. Paul, MN, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2023. Survived by wife and caretaker extraordinaire JoAnn (née Halloran) of nearly 58 years; children, Carter Nickolay (Karen), Janell Nickolay (Shane), and Gwen Nickolay Traynor; grandchildren, Kara, Matthew (Kara), Brigid, and Ronan; siblings Lucille, Francis, George, and Ruth; numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. Predeceased by parents, John F. and Bessie Nickolay, and siblings John, Charles, Rita, Donald, and Richard.

Summer has officially started. The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, was Wednesday, June 21.
Others may say it was already summer when temperatures were in the high-80s and low-90s Fahrenheit last week.
Another sure sign of summer was the number of outdoor events that were going on this past weekend. Among the events were Elko New Market’s Fire Rescue Days, the Home Run Derby at Union Hill and the start of the Music at the Broz concert series.

The photos and keepsakes in his office, much of it sports related, needed to be boxed up and prepared for moving. Last week, Tim Dittberner didn’t seem to be in much of a hurry to pack up his office.

New Prague and other communities in the area will be celebrating the July 4th holiday with everything from parades to music to boat parades to fireworks.
New Prague The evening of Monday, July 3, will be the New Prague Fireworks Show. Events are east of the New Prague Middle School, beginning at 6 p.m. there will be Kona Ice, Dawgs on the Run, face painting and free massages. The national anthem will be sung by Linda Fahrenkamp with the fireworks at 10:10 p.m.
Elko July 1st at Dusk, Elko Speedway

New Prague High School Assistant Principal Brian Thorstad has been named the high school's new principal.
See details in an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times.

Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI category in southern, east central, and northeast Minn., which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Jane Ann Johnson Hines of New Prague passed away on January 12, 2023. 
A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, July 16th from 12:00-3:00 at The Broz Event Center, 212 Main St W, New Prague, MN 56071.

Harrison Roger Blonigen received his Heavenly wings on Sunday, June 25, 2023, one day before his fifth birthday.
A visitation for Harrison will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 West First Street, Jordan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023, with visitation time prior from 9:30-11 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 24425 Old Highway Blvd, Jordan. Father Michael Miller will preside. He will be laid to rest at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.

James “Tony” Anthony Stage, age 60 of Montgomery passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN surrounded by his loving family after a courageous 10-month battle with cancer.

Donna Lee (Menten) James, age 75, of New Prague, died peacefully on May 23, 2023 in Mankato.
Survivors include husband Tom James.  Full obituary ran in the June 1, 2023 edition of The New Prague Times.
Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 11 AM with visitation starting at 10:30 AM at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lanesburgh, MN (28983 181st Ave., New Prague, MN). Burial will occur in the church cemetery followed by lunch in the church hall.
bruzekfuneralhome.com