Anna Mae Witt, age 95, of New Prague, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on March 22, 2026.

Anna Mae was born on September 4, 1930, to Thomas and Evelyn Shaughnessy on her family’s farm in St. Thomas, Minnesota. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Le Sueur High School. After earning her teacher training certificate, she began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in St. Thomas.

Gene Howard Sanford, age 75, of Faribault, passed away March 18, 2026, at the Mayo Clinic Health System, New Prague.  

Funeral services will be held on April 14, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church, Faribault.  Interment will be at Forest Cemetery, rural Rice County.

Brianna Kiefert, age 38, of New Prague, passed away unexpectedly at home on March 19, 2026.

Brianna was born April 18, 1987, in Shakopee, Minnesota, to Randy and Teresa (Nordrum) Kes. She grew up in New Prague and graduated from New Prague High School in 2005. After graduation, she followed her love for children by working in childcare. She met her husband, Tim, in 2012, and they were married in 2014.

The New Prague Area Figure Skating Club held its 27th annual spring show, Sunshine, Summer, Spirals & Spins, Saturday, March 14, at the New Prague Community Center. The show featured music from spring, summer and warm places such as Hawaii. There were classic songs such as “Surfin’ USA” to Disney songs like “You’re Welcome” from “Moana.” The performances featured solos, duets, trios and large groups. There were...

To see more on this story pick up the March 19, 2026 print edition of The New Prague Times. 

The family and friends of Dr. Kurtis Malecha, Ph.D., are deeply saddened to announce his passing on March 10, 2026. He was born on October 1, 1990 in Lonsdale, MN, to Tim and Sue Malecha. Prior to attending college, he worked at his parent's shop learning the values of hardwork and problem-solving. He obtained a Bachelor's in Chemistry from Minnesota State University, Mankato, followed by a Master's and Doctorate in Atmospheric Chemistry from University of California, Irvine.

Tupy thrilled for chance to student teach in New Prague

There are plenty of places Hallie Tupy could earn a living after she graduates from college this spring. Her first choice is a classroom, preferably in her hometown.

Members of New Prague city staff, the city council and Greystone Construction held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday afternoon, March 12, for the city’s newest energy generation facility. Gathering at 507 Sixth Ave. NW, the group broke ground in a brief ceremony.

"Happy Holidays!" That was John's signature greeting, and whenever he spoke it, he instantly filled the room with warmth and cheer. His presence made everyone feel welcome, a true reflection of the joy and kindness he shared with all who knew him.

John Joseph Radermacher, age 72, of Le Center, MN, passed away on March 13, 2026, at his home.

Larry Marvin Schanus, age 75, of Medina, Minnesota, was born on December 20, 1950, to Edward and Irene (Frank) Schanus in New Prague, Minnesota, and passed away on January 29, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. 

Larry was united in marriage to Laura Jeanne Courteau in 1969. Together they raised five children: Daniel, Christopher, Amanda, Stacie, and Sandra. Family was the center of Larry’s life and he was proud to be a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In last year’s legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law ending the shotgun-only zone for deer hunting in the southern and west-central counties of the state.

The action leaves each county currently in the shotgun-only zone with the decision of whether to pass an ordinance to maintain the ban on rifle hunting.

Le Sueur County can either do nothing and allow the rifle hunting ban to lift, or it can pass an ordinance to uphold the current law.

About 30 years after the first slapshot was fired at the new New Prague Community Center, ice hockey enthusiasts and community supporters have begun a campaign to expand the existing arena to bring more opportunities for on-ice participation in the sport.

The New Prague City Council came to a consensus to have city staff and City Attorney Scott Riggs of the law firm Kennedy & Graven discuss the city’s next steps on the Tikalsky Acres development agreement, a 20-year old agreement for a housing development.

The city council held a special meeting to discuss the 2005 agreement with Randy Kubes for a housing subdivision on the southeast side of New Prague. The housing development covers 40 acres, which is for 92 housing units, of which 89 units have been built.

Saturday, March 14, 5 p.m. Update

The National Weather Services (NWS) in Chanhassen, Minn., has issued a Blizzard Warning for our greater area from 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, through 4 a.m. on Monday, March 16. They are calling this a "historic March winter storm on track to bring extreme snow accumulations and strong winds." 

The warning calls for a broad swath of 12 to 18 inches of snow over the region, with some area approaching two feet, with winds between 35 and 45 mph, with gusts to 55 mph, even after the snow starts to taper off.

If you read the newspaper each week, thanks for doing so. We hope it keeps you abreast of what’s going on in your community. You have a right to know what’s going on in your city, school district and the area. After all, you’re paying for it.

When the final pins fell, the members of the Southwest Metro Bowling team didn’t immediately react as if they had just won a state championship. It wasn’t until the team was announced as the winner the five girls displayed the joy of a championship.

The five-member co-op Southwest Metro team defeated Rochester-Pine Island in the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America Inc.’s four-game championship match, 772-688, Saturday, March 7, at Mermaid Entertainment Center’s bowling complex in Mounds View.

New Prague High School’s boys’ basketball run in the Section 1AAAA tournament began Wednesday evening, March 4, at Farmington. The Trojans, seeded seventh in the tournament, battled the Tigers, seeded second, but Farmington ended the game with a score of 82-47.

“We got off to a good start, and stuck with them until midway through the first half,” said New Prague head coach Dan Peterka. “They went on a run, but we continued to battle and were down 11 at the half.”

In the last minute of the first half, the Trojans went on a scoring run to bring the score within reach.