Backlin, Sigfred A’Dare, Age 93 of Bloomington, MN died on June 11, 2020. 
Sigfred was born on a farm at Holmes City, MN to the parents of Sigfred and Olga Backlin.  Graduated from Alexandria High School.  Served during WWII and the Korean War.  He was a railroad engineer for M&STL as well as Chicago Northwestern Railroads, several of those years in New Prague, for a total of 43 years and 25 more years as a Cub Foods employee. 

Sylvia (Sally Simon,) Rezac, 91, of Owatonna, died June 12th, 2020.
Sylvia was born in New Prague, MN to Bohumil and Ludmilla (Kalina) Simon. She was the 6th of 9 children. Sylvia grew up speaking Czech and later learned English and Latin in Catholic school.
Every summer on the farm as a young child, it gave her great joy caring for her flocks of ducklings and goslings. Due to chronic respiratory problems, Sylvia spent most winter days staying with her Grandma Kalina in Veseli, attending Most Holy Trinity Catholic school.

Andy Pany, 61, of Montgomery, passed away at his home on June 9, 2020.
Burial will be held on Saturday, June 20 at 3 p.m. at the National Bohemian Cemetery in Montgomery. A visitation will be held at 4 p.m. at the Rustic Farmer, Montgomery. Social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Andy was the son of Alvin and Gerry Pany. He was born January 20, 1959. After graduating from Montgomery High School, Andy went to school and became a journeyman Electrician and worked for St. Paul Electrical Union.

John Dean Knudtson, age 21 of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at his home in New Prague, Minnesota. John was born December 4, 1998, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Joseph and Wendy (Miller) Knudtson. He enjoyed skateboarding, hanging out with friends, playing Magic card games, and video games, especially Call of Duty and Black Ops. John was an avid weapons expert and enjoyed being outdoors. He loved his Jeep, the movie Deadpool, art, and was a very talented drawer.

Forest Dale Lehman, 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 4,2020. He was a long time resident of New Prague, MN. He was born June 13, 1929 in Tigerton, WI to Paul & Mary (Prahl) Lehman. He entered the US Air Force after graduating from high school and served for 6 years.  During the time he was stationed in Japan, he met the love of his life, Kura and they married March 18, 1952 in Tokyo, Japan. They eventually ended up living in New Prague on a farm. Forest worked at Roberts Automatic Products as a machinist for 29 years.

Jack Webster, 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2020, at the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna, MN, following a well-fought battle with cancer.
Webster was born in rural Pottawatomie County, Kansas on March 11, 1934 near the small town of Cleburne, to James and Bessie (Harter) Webster. He attended the one-room Belgrade Rural Grade School for six years, then graduated from Cleburne Elementary School in 1948. Webster attended, and graduated from, Cleburne Rural High School in 1952.

Smisek, Julia A., age 88 of Lonsdale, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2020.

Eugene J. Flicek, age 77, of North Mankato, died on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living, North Mankato. 
No services are being held.  Cards and flowers may be sent to the family.  Condolences can be left online for the family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Mahowald, George A., age 90, passed away May 26, 2020, at his family farm in rural New Market, MN. George was born August 7, 1929 in Chatfield, MN to George J. and Beatrice (Zweber) Mahowald and moved to New Market in 1935, where both sides of his family have deep roots.