Raymond Ceplecha passed away at home on Monday, September 9, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born in Wheatland Township on the family farm in 1935, to Joseph R. and Gertrude (Trcka) Ceplecha.

Toni Ellis was born January 21, 1935, and passed from this life on earth into her eternal life with Jesus on August 17, 2024. She was 89 years old.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, as the eldest of two children to Arthur and Madeline (Mary) Chenes. Toni grew up and lived most of her life in southern California followed by long stints in Minnesota and Colorado.

David Joseph Sticha, age 67, of New Prague, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, September 8, 2024, after fighting complications related to cancer. He was born July 27, 1957, in New Prague to Joseph and Lillian (Rezac) Sticha. Dave graduated from New Prague High School in 1975, followed by getting a degree at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. 
 Dave married his high school sweetheart, Jean Tuma on May 24, 1980. They shared 44 years together raising four children and building several successful businesses. 

Otto Allan Johnson, 86, of Prior Lake, died peacefully and surrounded by his family on September 7, 2024.
A time of gathering will be held in his honor on Friday, September 13, from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard Sunder Funeral Home in Prior Lake (4565 Pleasant Ave). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Otto on Saturday, September 14 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake (16400 Duluth Ave SE) beginning at 10 a.m. with an hour of visitation prior from 9-10 a.m. Father Tom Walker will be presiding over services. 

Brandon Dennis Witt, age 50, of New Prague, passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, August 16, 2024, after a 5 year fight with colorectal cancer. He was born November 12, 1973, in St. Paul to Ken and Lana (Schmid) Witt. Brandon graduated from New Prague High School in 1992, and followed in his father's footsteps toward a lifelong construction and excavation career.

Rita Tobin passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, with her beloved nieces Michelle and Cheryl by her side. She had been in declining health for several months.
The youngest of Walter and Veronica Tobin’s five children, Rita was born on July 15, 1937, in New Prague, where she attended St. Wenceslaus grade school and New
Prague High School. 

Harold "Hal" Josef Bass, passed away unexpectedly on August 31, 2024. His life was full of many adventures during his journey. Hal’s love of baseball as a child and into high school brought a scouting team and an offer to enter the baseball farm system. Also in high school, he placed second in the state wrestling tournament. But rather than pursue sports, in 1963 he enlisted in the Air Force. Hal proudly served his country while in Vietnam, trained in air rescue and later as a LRRP team combat medic.

JoAnn R. Hughes, age 90, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, August 31, 2024. JoAnn was born in Minneapolis on June 23, 1934, to Roy and Inez (Lindberg)  Bartosh.  JoAnn graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, where she met the young man, who would become her husband.  She married Ronald J. Hughes on October 27, 1954, and they raised their family of four daughters in the Bloomington/Minneapolis area for most of their lives, moving to New Prague in 2000.

Mary Ruth Zweber, age 86, of New Prague, died peacefully at home on Friday, August 30, 2024, with her family at her side praying the rosary at almost the same time during the night that her husband had died just 8 days earlier! Mary was born on September 6, 1937, in New Prague, to Dr. Charles F. and Ruth M. (Nelson) Cervenka. She graduated from New Prague High School, where she was very involved in extracurriculars, chosen the first Snoball Queen, and graduated with honors.