Capt. Lesley J. Fierst USN, Ret., age 53, of New Prague, died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at his home.  Les was born on March 15, 1971, in New Prague, to Randolph and Nancy (Lapic) Fierst.  Les spent his youth like most kids.  He enjoyed hanging out with neighborhood friends playing sports, backyard pickup games, going to the pool, just being a typical small-town kid.  Les was the stereotypical 80’s kid, collecting sports cards, playing video games, scouts and growing up with that 80s music watching Friday night videos.

Richard J. “Dick” Zweber, age 85, of New Prague, died while praying a rosary with his daughter at his home on Thursday, August 22, 2024.  Dick was born on November 13, 1938, in St. Paul, to Vincent and Helen (McFadden) Zweber.   He grew up in St. Paul, attending St. Matthew’s, St. Joseph’s, and Cretin Schools, before moving as a sophomore, graduating from New Prague High School.  It was there that he met Mary Ruth Cervenka, the woman who would become his bride, on December 31, 1958, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.  

Eileen M. Wagner, age 91, of Prior Lake, MN, entered eternal life on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at New Perspective Senior Living. 
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, from 4-7 p.m., and on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 9:30-10:45 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 a.m., all at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. She will be laid to rest at St. Nicholas Catholic Cemetery, in Elko New Market, MN. 

David J. Solheid, age 78, of Union Hill, died peacefully on Friday, August 16, 2024, at a hospice in St. Paul.  Dave was born on April 24, 1946, in New Prague, to Michael and Mary (Pint) Solheid.  He graduated from New Prague High School and served in the US Army, where he received awards for his marksmanship.  He married Judy Fitzke on October 4, 1969, in New Prague.  Dave worked for Scott Equipment for over 30  years, retiring as a shop foreman.

Leona E. Weiers, age 95, of Montgomery, formerly of Union Hill, died peacefully in her sleep, on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at her home at Traditions of Montgomery.  Leona was born a twin on the family farm in Derrynane Township on February 7, 1929, to Mathias and Barbara (Klinkhammer) Giesen.  She grew up and spent her entire life in the Union Hill area and graduated from New Prague High School.  She married Edwin "Speed" Weiers on September 10, 1949, at St. John's Catholic Church in Union Hill and very successfully raised a beautiful family of 14 children.

Dennis Wayne Ellman, age 77, of New Prague, passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2024, unexpectedly as a result of an abdominal aortic aneurysm at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague.  Dennis was born June 21, 1947, in Buffalo Center, IA, to Vincent and Deloris (Johnson) Ellman.  Dennis was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and went to school in Lakota, IA.  He met Marion Schiprett in Montgomery when his parents moved and they were later married on October 7, 1967, at St.

Henry W. “Hank” Schindele, age 84, of Northfield, formerly of New Prague, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at Three Links Care Center in Northfield.  Hank was born on July 15, 1940, in Watkins, MN, to Henry and Rose (Zahler) Schindele.  He graduated from St.

Joel Gary Erickson, DC, age 60, of Montgomery, died doing what he loved best, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Sturgis, South Dakota.  Joel was born on August 28, 1963, in Montevideo, MN, to Gary and Noreen (Capistran) Erickson.  He graduated from Montevideo High School in 1982 and attended the Diesel Mechanics program at Willmar Vocational School followed by working at Dean Machinery Caterpillar in Kansas City, MO.

Yvonne J. Marek was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother who loved the Lord, her family, the outdoors and her home on Spring Lake, in Prior Lake, MN. 
A Christian service will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., with a time of gathering starting at 9 a.m., at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. A light lunch will follow with laying Yvonne to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. To honor Yvonne, please wear her favorite color blue!

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.

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.