The Minnesota River boys hockey team picked up a pair of Big South Conference wins last week, outscoring their two opponents 14-1.
The Bulldogs won three of their five games, including a 7-1 win over Worthington Saturday, Jan. 14 and 8-0 over winless Redwood Valley Saturday, Jan. 21. The locals also defeated Mound Westonka 5-3 Monday, Jan. 16. Minnesota River also dropped a 5-2 nonconference game to Litchfield/DasselCokato Saturday, Jan. 21 and 7-2 to Big South leading New Ulm Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Minnesota State Fair’s 2022 Princess Kay of the Milky Way and 2020 Kolacky Queen Rachel Rynda received the key to the city and a proclamation honoring her contributions as an exemplary ambassador to the Montgomery area at the Jan. 17 city council meeting.
Rynda was first contacted before Thanksgiving about the honor. City Clerk Patti Soukup called her and, after some small talk, said, “We would like to give you the key to the city.” Rynda was surprised, “I didn’t really expect that but it was pretty cool.”

Two TCU High School Robotics teams and five TCU Middle School Robotics teams competed at the Titans’ home tournament on Saturday, Jan. 14. A total of 45 teams competed in the tournament.
In the high school division, TCU’s teams Gear Train and Barbie Bots made it to the eliminations round. Gear Train earned a ranking of 25th (3-4-0). Barbie Bots team was ranked 30th (3-4-0).

Heather Ann Kolarik, age 45 of St. Cloud, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.
Heather was born on October 20, 1977 to Leonard and the late Kathy Turek. She grew up in New Prague and was a 1996 graduate of New Prague High School. Heather went on to study at St. Cloud Technical and Community College, where she earned an associate’s degree in the area of graphic design. While attending school at St. Cloud, Heather worked at Target, where she met Larry Kolarik.

The Minnesota River Bulldogs 12U Girls Hockey, ages 12 and under, were surprised in Woodbury on a very snowy January 3. The girls expected to arrive playing a typical game against the Woodbury 12U B1 team. All other TCU and area schools activities were cancelled this day because of an ongoing winter storm. This game, however, was not cancelled.

Kenneth L. Krocak, age 64, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. 
Ken was born on April 22, 1958 in St. Paul to Lloyd F. and Nancy (Holub) Krocak.  He grew up in Roseville and Prior Lake, graduating from Prior Lake High School.  He married Katherine Lynch, and though the marriage would dissolve, the couple raised their three children.  Ken had many jobs throughout his life, including working for a flooring business and most currently as a computer technician.

Jean Mader, age 81, of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at her home in New Prague. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 25 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery with a memorial service with Fr. George Grafsky, officiating. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery in the spring.

A written agenda now accompanies me to the dinner table.
After my family of four eats and finishes chatting about our day, I pull out my list, which sets my daughters’ eyes rolling.
Anna and Ellen, ages 13 and 10, think it’s ridiculous that I now have a “Family Agenda” notebook, but they do sit up and pay attention when I click my pen into action mode.
I begin:
- Are we going to cousin Gus’ basketball game tomorrow. If so, how are we going to make it happen?

A fifth grader and an eighth grader were the last two Titans standing in the district’s 2023 Spelling Bee on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 12. The competition was held at TCU Montgomery’s auditorium.
Fifth grader Taelynn Whipps held her own in the championship round, which put her up against TCU’s top spellers in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, but ultimately, eighth grader Madelyn Ryan, daughter of Stephanie and Jeff Ryan of Le Center, clinched the win by correctly spelling “engagement,” followed by “restoration.”
Twenty-six students participated in the bee.

Gordon “Gordy” Prochaska, age 71, of Montgomery/ Florence, AZ., passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at his home in AZ. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 27 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 28 at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with visitation from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the church with Father George Grafsky officiating. Interment will be held in St. Scholastica Cemetery in Heidelberg at a later date.

Kenneth John Goettl, age 90, of Montgomery, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at his home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 18 from 3:30pm-8pm with KC Rosary in the evening at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 19 at 10:30am at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father Tom Niehaus and Father George Grafsky officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Montgomery area Honor Guard.

Gary A. Krocak, age 71 of Minnetrista.  Survived by his loving wife, Constance; sons, John, James (Emily) and David; grandchildren, Ocean and Skye; brothers, Bob (Rita), Don (Joyce), Tom (Jean) and Dick (Nancy); sisters-in-law, Suzanne Nordblom and Deborrah (John) Rainville; many nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by his parents, Agnes and Hubert; sister, Shirley Krocak.

Marian Rose (Flicek) Bailey, age 93, of Nerstrand, died on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at home surrounded by her family.
 Funeral services will be held at Nerstrand United Methodist Church on Monday, January 16, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Gary Liker, officiating. Interment will follow at Methodist Memorial Knoll, rural Nerstrand.
 Visitation will be at Boldt Funeral Home in Faribault on Sunday, January 15, 2023, from 2 to 5 p.m. and also at the church for one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Alice Marie Zika, age 89, of Montgomery, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 14 from 9 am-11 am at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 am. with Father Tom Niehaus officiating. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

Alice Marie Zika, age 89, of Montgomery passed away January 9, 2023.  
Mass of christian burial will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.  Visitation will be held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church from 9 am to 11 am on Saturday, January 14, 2023.  Survived by daughter, Deborah, granddaughter, Rochelle, brother Jerry (Lorraine) David of Montgomery, sister, Janet (Jerry) Gish of St. Peter and many other relatives and friends.
A full obituary will be published next week in the Montgomery Messenger and The New Prague Times.

I was in much better shape as a child and throughout my young adult life. I played little league, county pee-wee, and varsity baseball. There is one time where I remember running the fastest I have ever run in my life. I WAS running for my life.
Okay, maybe I wasn’t running for my life but I was pretty darn scared of what might unfold if I stopped! Let me explain.