Donald (Don) J. Smisek Sr, age 83, of Lonsdale, MN, passed away peacefully at Lakeville BeeHive Homes on April 17, 2024, with family by his side.  He fought a long and courageous battle with dementia. Don is preceded in death by sons Tommy and Dennis, and parents Joe B. and Helen Smisek. Don was born June 2, 1940, on a family farm in Webster Township. He attended Lonsdale Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from New Prague High School in 1959. He served in the US Marine Corps for 4 years.

Diane M. Schmitt, age 62, passed away on April 3, 2024, at Nagel Assisted Living in Waconia, MN. 
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN. Her burial will follow at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in New Prague, MN.

Laurie Beek-Korbel, age 59, of New Prague, passed away peacefully, in her sleep at home on Sunday, April 7, 2024.  She had been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure on June 12 of 2022, and entered hospice care on February 28 of this year. Laurie was born on February 10, 1965, in Faribault to Donald & Evelyn (Timmers) Korbel.  She grew up on the family dairy farm in Kilkenny and graduated from Montgomery-Lonsdale High School in 1983.  She had 2 years advanced schooling in sales marketing and management and worked for K-Mart during thos

Donna Hall, age 70, of Northfield, passed away at home, with her family by her side, on Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024.

Mary Elizabeth (Chlan) Sirek, 90, of Lakeville, Minnesota, passed away on March 22, 2024. 
She was born August 26, 1933, in Webster, Minnesota, to parents Joseph and Agnus Chlan. Mary, alongside her late husband Stephen, dedicatedly raised a family of ten children and remained a devoted and nurturing (great) grandmother throughout her life. She will be missed by all who knew her. 

Peggy MaryAnn Wulke, age 74, of New Prague, MN, passed away on March 17, 2024. A Celebration of Peggy’s Life will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. with closing words at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (104 First Street West) in Jordan. 

Maylon F. Palma, age 82, of New Prague, died peacefully, with his family at his side, after a lengthy stay at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital Rochester.  Maylon was born on October 26, 1941, on the family farm in Webster, Scott County, to Myles M.

Rudolph “Rudy” Fahrenkamp, 92, of Jordan, passed away on March 19, 2024. His Christian Funeral will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jordan (100 Sixth St West) on Saturday, March 23 at 11 a.m. There will be a time of visitation prior from 9:30-10:45 a.m.. Following the Christian Funeral, Rudy will be laid to rest at Spirit Hill Cemetery with Military Honors. Pastor Jeremy Glowicki will be presiding over the services. 

Sandra M. (Skluzacek) Tuma, born January 18, 1955, and formerly of Lonsdale, passed away March 16 after a hard fought battle against cancer. Preceded in death by her father Rudolph, she is survived by her mother Arlene of Lonsdale, her son Chad (Julie), daughter Amber (Chris) Gehrke and son Dustin (Leanna) and grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also survived by sisters Sharon (Ken) and Laure (Mike) and brothers Lyle (Sandi), Brian (Angie), Bruce (Lisa) and Eric (Bobbie).