Ben was born on March 31, 1931, in Elko, MN, to Alex and Odelia (Radermacher) Zweber, and passed away May 7, 2025. He grew up in the New Market area and married Mary Haley on May 21, 1955. In 1963, they began farming together, and Ben continued farming for 40 years before retiring. Ben proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was an active member of the St. Nicholas Knights of Columbus, where he helped organize Christmas tree sales. He was also a member of the NEW Lions and served on the boards of various agricultural organizations.

Like others that have been honored at the Roman Barten Memorial Breakfast, the Will family of rural New Prague found the experience almost indescribable. This year’s annual breakfast was held Sunday, May 4, at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
“It’s been absolutely mind blowing,” said Eric Will of the event. “It’s been incredible how there’s family, friends and people I don’t even know, who are here to support us.”
“I almost can’t put into words about it,” said Amanda Will. “It’s been overwhelming the amount support we’ve seen.”

With a pair of solid wins capping an undefeated regular season, New Prague’s indoor softball team has returned to the state tournament May 16-17 at Chanhassen High School.
The bracket for the tournament has not yet been established. The tournament opens Friday evening with the semifinals, finals and consolation play slated for Saturday, May 17. By virtue of their 6-0 record, the Trojans expect a No. 1 seed in the bracket’s south division.

The New Prague Chamber of Commerce’s Ladies Night Out, Thursday, May 8, was a colorful evening. Shoppers dressed in floral patterns, following the evening’s theme of Petals & Purchases. Among those who dressed up are, left to right, Sue Wobbe, Angie Musil, Mary Lou Fradenburgh, Marge Fradenburgh, Sandy Sindelar and Emily Fradenburgh. There were 14 New Prague businesses and organizations that participated. Shoppers could get deals and prizes between 5-8:30 p.m. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Photo used with permission from Angie Musil.)

Lawrence "Larry" Alvin Novotny SR., age 76, of Montgomery, died on the morning of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at his home.
Larry was born in New Prague on March 3, 1949, to parents Alvin and Marcella (Valek) Novotny.  He went to school in Montgomery and graduated with the class of 1967.  On October 12, 1968, he was united in marriage to Alice Mahowald at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. 

Although she grew up in New Prague, Eagle View Elementary School in Elko New Market has a special place in Kim Hoppert’s heart. It’s where her mom worked and today she is a fourth-grade teacher.
It’s also a place where Hoppert has earned the respect and admiration of her students and colleagues alike.
Hoppert attended New Prague Elementary School (known today as Falcon Ridge). She learned about the unique characteristics of Eagle View from her mom, who worked as the school principal’s executive assistant when it opened in 2006.

Sandy Trnka, age 72, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 5, 2025. Born in New Prague and raised on a dairy farm outside of Veseli, Sandy was the eldest of four children and learned the value of hard work early in life. She graduated from New Prague High School in 1971 and married Robert Trnka in 1972, beginning a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion.

Chenelle Susan Johnson, of Hanover, was born December 4, 1973, in Caledonia, MN. Chenelle Susan Johnson passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025, at the age of 51, after a courageous year-long battle with leukemia.
A graduate of New Prague High School, Chenelle was active in softball, tennis, and golf - passions that continued throughout her life. She furthered her education at Dakota County Technical College, studying interior design and sales.

New Prague’s undefeated indoor softball team is aiming for a deep playoff run.
The Trojans are 4-0 with two games this week. Tuesday’s clash, April 29, with South Suburban was played after the newspaper’s press deadline. NP will complete the regular season today, Thursday, May 1, 4:30 p.m., at Park High School in Cottage Grove against South Washington County.
A pair of wins will advance New Prague into post-season play as a top seed in the southern half of the state. The state tournament is May 16-17 at Chanhassen High School.

With four players in the top five, New Prague’s boys’ golf team cruised to an easy win in its own invitational tournament.
The New Prague boys’ golf team took first with a team total of 303 at the New Prague Invitational played Friday, April 25, at Creeksbend Golf Course just outside NP. Heritage Christian Academy finished four shots back, followed by Shakopee (322), Bloomington Jefferson (337), Holy Family (338), Le Sueur-Henderson and Jordan (341 each) and Burnsville (350).

Amanda Will never dreamed of spending the amount of time in a doctor’s office and the hospital as she has the past few years. The journey her son, Colton, and family have been on has already seemed to have taken a lifetime.
Colton Will of New Prague was diagnosed with mixed phenotype lineage leukemia when he was 4. He is being treated at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Recently, he entered the maintenance phase of his threeyear treatment journey to becoming cancer free. He will have monthly visits to the clinic and receive chemo at home.

Rodney “Bud” Kager, age 82, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, April 24, 2025.  Bud was born on June 3, 1942, in Los Angeles, CA, to Clyde and Ione (Wolstad) Kager.  The family settled in Minnesota and Bud graduated from Bloomington High School.  He served in the US Navy and was honorably discharged from the U.S.

A Cedar Lake Township woman was killed in a crash at the intersection of Highway 13 and East 247th Street in the area of St. Patrick Monday, April 28, which was reported at 5:10 p.m.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported Fedora Isabelle Formuzal, 70, of Cedar Lake Township, was killed in the crash.
The Minnesota State Patrol crash report states a 2012 Ford Escape driven by Darren Wendell Iverson of Cedar Lake Township and a 2021 Ford Explorer driven by Jordin Isabelle Gummert of Cedar Lake Township were traveling southbound on Highway 13.

Magdalen Angela Lambrecht, daughter of John Leo and Emma Margaretha (Moes) Sieben was born on May 1, 1929, in Hampton, MN. She passed from this earthly life on April 23, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital, Shakopee, MN. Maddie will be laid to rest next to Harold on Friday, May 2, 2025, with 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. visitation at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (313 2nd Street East, Jordan, MN) followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m., and interment at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Lunch to follow in church basement.

Mary Koepp, age 91, of Belle Plaine, died on April 23, 2025, at her independent living apartment at Kingsway Senior Living. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and one hour prior to the funeral at church. Rev. Ted Vanderpan will officiate. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery.

After just three games – all victories – New Prague’s indoor softball team has its sights set on a solid season with a possible berth in the post-season. The Trojans thumped Stillwater Area Thursday, April 17. The Trojans will be in Prior Lake (Twin Oaks Middle School) today, Thursday, April 24, 4:30 p.m., to face the Shakopee-ChanhassenChaska-Prior Lake squad.
Trojans 13, Stillwater Area 1 New Prague used an 18-hit attack to score early and often in the win over the Ponies.