Earl Lee Church, age 75, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2024, at the Lutheran Home of Belle Plaine.  
Lee was born June 5, 1949, to Edward and LaVerne (Schanus) Church, in New Prague, MN.  
Lee graduated from New Prague High School in 1967, after which he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a mechanic who worked on B-52 bombers and C135 aircraft. He provided direct support during the Vietnam War. Attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, Lee was honorably discharged in 1971. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion.

Marian C. (Eischens) Grosz, age 96, of St. Louis Park, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2024.  Preceded in death by husband Edward Grosz, parents Adam and Ruth (Beckius) Eischens, twin brother Myron Eischens, sisters Elaine Eischens, Genevieve Eilen, Berneva Nelson and Aurea Zweber; brothers Leonard and Harold Eischens.  Survived by brother Gordon Eischens and sisters Arlene Dagnault, Alda Cosgrove and Karen Feldten; many nieces and nephews (37). 

Rita Ann Halloran, 87, of Minnetonka, MN, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2024, surrounded by family after a brief illness. Rita was born on January 11, 1937, at home on the family farm, outside Kilkenny, MN, to John and Cecilia (Shaughnessy) Cashin.
Rita was a devoted family person and her friends and family gave her much joy and happiness. She was always physically active and enjoyed traveling (Ireland 3 times), reading, and politics. She was open to new ideas and was a life-long learner.

Berg making safe run for mayoral seat
Elko New Market voters will have options in their municipal leadership when they go to the polls this fall.
With Mayor Joe Julius having previously announced he will not seek re-election, councilor Josh Berg has filed to run for mayor and its two-year term. Rick Stidger has also filed to run for mayor. If Berg is not elected mayor, he will serve the remainder of the four year city council seat he won in 2022.

The annual Chamber of Commerce event, Czech Out New Prague, drew several hundred people to Memorial Park Thursday, Aug. 1, to meet staff from businesses, non-profit organizations and members of faith communities.
This year’s event was again a popular attraction. Visitors also interacted with New Prague police and firefighters. The event also shared the park with The Jazz on the Prairie Big Band, part of the Music at the Broz concert series.

Brady Steinhoff, left, tries on a firefighter’s helmet and jacket during Night to Unite the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Memorial Park. Looking on is his friend, Brayden Smith, right. Members of New Prague’s fire and police departments were in the park for the annual event. Children could explore a fire truck and police car, try on firefighter suits and get stickers. (Patrick Fisher photo)

One incumbent and one potential newcomer are among the early contestants for the elections for New Prague City Council and the New Prague Area School District.
Incumbent Mayor Duane Jirik is the only person to file for election to the New Prague City Council. It is for a two-year term. The seats currently held by councilors Shawn Ryan and Bruce Wolf are also up for election for four-year terms.
School district

Mark LeRoy Orvik, of New Prague, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the age of 69. He was born on May 19,1955 in Minneapolis. He grew up in South Dakota, Minneapolis, Beltrami, and Faribault, Minnesota.
Mark graduated from Faribault High School in 1973. He graduated from Northwestern Electronics Institute where he earned an Associate in Electronics Technology in 1977.

Mildred Dehlinger passed away on July 27, 2024, in St. Paul, MN.  She was born Aug. 16, 1932, on her family’s farm in Jordan, MN, the oldest daughter of ten children of William and Walberga Busch Schoenbauer, attending school at St. Benedict and Good Counsel Academy.  

Gerald Leo “Jerry” Kurkowski, age 83, of New Prague, Minnesota, died Thursday, August 1, 2024, at his daughter's home in Shakopee, Minnesota.
Born in Grenville, South Dakota, January 5, 1941; the son of Irene (Wojcik) and Joseph Kurkowski.

Lori “Erdie” Jean Bohnsack, age 67, of Belle Plaine, MN, died on Thursday, August 1, 2024, in Hinkley, MN.  Celebration and time of Sharing will be on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine, MN. 
Erdie was born on January 6, 1957, to her biological mother, Gretchen Schultz, she was then adopted by Vernon and Sylvia (Heinisch) Schultz.  She attended Belle Plaine Schools and graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1975.

A St.Paul man is charged with killing a retired Catholic priest who was giving him a ride to a mental health evaluation.
The Rev. Larry Johnson was killed Thursday afternoon, Aug. 1, around 12:40 p.m., as he gave Nathan Thomas Wondra, 32, a ride to an evaluation. Wonder has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of the 76-year-old retired priest while parked just off Interstate 94 along Prior Avenue. Wondra reportedly told police ‘voices’ told him to strangle Fr. Johnson to ‘save humanity.’

Larry V. Braun, age 69, of Roseville,  passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 19, 2024.  He was born and educated in Montgomery, Minnesota, and was an outstanding athlete at MHS.  The rest of his life was spent at various locations with the last being in Roseville, MN.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Irma (Harmeyer) Braun; beloved dog, Charlie.

Nolan Ryan Lake, age 25, of New Prague, died unexpectedly from an accidental overdose after a lifetime of mental health struggles on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Nolan was born on August 8, 1998, in Burnsville, to Ryan and Jennifer (Erickson) Lake.  He grew up in New Prague, attending New Prague Public Schools.

Helen Brandt passed away surrounded by her loving children after a long, happy life filled with faith, family, and friends.
Helen considered her #1 career to be caring for, living with, and laughing with all of her children. She devoted her life to the community of Rosemount working in the schools and volunteering at St. Joe’s.

Nolan Ryan Lake, age 25, of New Prague, died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
Arrangements pending.   
bruzekfuneralhome.com