Patrick William Smith, Jr., age 89, of West Saint Paul, MN, formally of Le Center, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025, at Walker Methodist Care Facility. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Le Center, MN.  

Leroy F. Mamer, age 88, of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Leroy was born on July 16, 1936, in New Prague, to Henry and Josephine (Nohava) Mamer.  He graduated from New Prague High School and entered the US Air Force, serving in Saudi Arabia.  
Leroy married Arlene M. Sindelar on August 6, 1955, at Most Holy Trinity Church in Veseli, MN, and the two made their home and raised their two sons in New Prague.  

Stephanie J. Rahn was born October 2, 1948, in Faribault, Minnesota, to William and Jacqueline (Springer) Luther. She passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Golden Years of Walworth.

Duane Deutsch, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, farmer, and friend, passed away March 24, 2025.
A time of gathering will be held for Duane on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (104 First Street West) in Jordan. An additional gathering will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Ridges on Sand Creek Golf Course (21775 Ridges Drive) in Jordan, from 10:00-10:50 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be provided by the Jordan Vets Honor Guard.

Who needs a “Clue”? There will be plenty of hints dropped by New Prague High School students as they perform the play “Clue - High School Edition.” It will be presented Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m. both evenings and Sunday, April 6, at 2 p.m.

Christy wins unanimous backing; medical emergency pulls Beulke from consideration
Ann Christy’s commitment to education and serving her community paid off Monday when members of the New Prague Area School Board selected her to fill the vacancy on the board.

Dane Tupy knows how to make adjustments when things aren’t quite right. This weekend, he hopes there will be no need for adjustments and he’ll be right on target.

The Elko New Market City Council honored 10 of its employees at its Thursday, March 13, meeting. A brief biography was read for each employee, including what department they work in, their position and their history with the city.
Mayor Andrew Ganfield read each biography and presented the employees with a certificate or plaque.

NP senior earns all-state HM honors
In addition to the personal and team accolades she earned during her playing career, New Prague senior Katie Boulanger has been named all-state/honorable mention among Class AAAA players.
Boulanger was named one of 24 recipients of the honorable mention honors in Class AAAA. Ten players from each class (1A to 4A) were named to the all-state team

They are hoping to bring the experience and success enjoyed at two event venues in Faribault to New Prague. Will it work? Ryan and Jenny Ernster, the new-owners-to-be of The Broz Hotel are confident they can do it.

Noreen A. Hruby passed away quietly on March 4, 2025, at her home in Mankato.
Noreen was born in New Prague, MN, on January 30, 1949, to Leonard and Bernice Hruby (Kajer) and lived most of her life in Mankato. She was the oldest of seven and leaves behind siblings, Richard (Mary Jo), Margaret (Gary), Barbara (Gary), Anita (Keith), and Stevie and many nieces and nephews. Her parents and brother, Mark preceded her in death.

Merlin James Plonsky left this world peacefully on March 19, 2025, at the age of 79, surrounded by his family at Central Health Care in Le Center. Merlin was born on April 24, 1945, to Peter and Cecelia (Konopik) Plonsky. He grew up in Montgomery and graduated in 1963 from Montgomery High School.
 He was united in marriage to Carmen Dalsted, on May 8, 1965. He started his career as a professional painter alongside his father-in-law and later went on his own as Plonsky Painting.

New Prague High School senior Emily Pumper, left, and junior Josh Langfield will be among many students who will have nearly 100 art pieces on display at New Prague Area Eduction Foundation’s Arts and Activities Spring Showcase, Thursday, March 20, beginning at 5 p.m. at the New Prague Park Ballroom, 300 Lexington Ave. S.
Pumper will have on display a ceramic body vase and Langfield will have photos and drawings exhibited at the event.

Robert “Bob” Ernest Sapp of Le Center passed away March 12, 2025, at St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

Karen Ann Hinderscheit, age 61, of New Prague, died unexpectedly with her family at her side on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague ER.  Karen was born on June 10, 1963, in New Prague, to Leonard and Rosemary (Tupy) Franek.  She had humble beginnings being raised on a farm with her Mom, Dad, and two sisters, Donna and Debbie.  Those lessons of humility were threaded throughout her life.  She graduated from New Prague High School and went on to graduate from Ritter’s Beauty College in Faribault.    A hardworking and dedicated employee, she always went abo

With victories over teams the New Prague-TCU-Belle Plaine-Le Sueur Henderson-Jordan co-op floor hockey team faced during the regular season, the Trojans' returned from Coon Rapids High School Saturday evening as undefeated state champions.
After defeating South Suburban, 11-4, Friday evening, Feb. 7, and South Washington County Saturday afternoon, Feb. 8, the Trojans capped off the day winning the championship over Stillwater Area, 11-8. The semifinal win over South Washington County marked the only time all season the Trojans trailed in any of the 11 games they played.