The Trojans’ varsity jazz team competes at New Prague High School’s invitational Saturday, Jan. 21. The Trojans’ varsity jazz team and varsity high kick team both won the invite. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

The Elko New Market City Council honored former police officer Steve Hotaling and welcomed new officer Derrick Irwin to the police department during the council’s Thursday, Jan. 12, meeting.
More than 30 people attended, with several family members and friends of Hotaling and Irwin, plus members of the Elko New Market Police Department.
Steve Hotaling
Elko New Market Police Chief Brady Juell and Acting Mayor Amanda Novak honored former officer Hotaling, who served with the department from May of 2019, until November of 2022, when he left for another department.

Kenneth L. Krocak, age 64, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. 
Ken was born on April 22, 1958 in St. Paul to Lloyd F. and Nancy (Holub) Krocak.  He grew up in Roseville and Prior Lake, graduating from Prior Lake High School.  He married Katherine Lynch, and though the marriage would dissolve, the couple raised their three children.  Ken had many jobs throughout his life, including working for a flooring business and most currently as a computer technician.

Reorganizational meetings of city councils, county boards, school boards and the like are usually matters of routine business indicating how the elected body will go about conducting its business during the year to come. The New Prague School Board took up the task Monday, Jan. 9, and all proceeded swimmingly. Until …
The board took up what to do with its public forum – citizens’ opportunity to address the board at the beginning of meetings – at its organizational meeting.

New Prague High School seniors Savannah Smith and Sophia Metzdorff are the winners of the MARS (Mastering Academics and Real-World Skills) Business version of Shark Tank. The two had some tough competition, but perhaps the duo’s two toughest opponents was the weather and schedules, as the two-day event stretched out more than two weeks.

Jean Mader, age 81, of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at her home in New Prague. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 25 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery with a memorial service with Fr. George Grafsky, officiating. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery in the spring.

Despite their best efforts, the New Prague High School girls’ ice hockey team has found offense in short supply. With tough competition on the horizon, scoring more goals will keep the team in a better position.
The Trojans have scored 10 goals in their last seven games. In the past week, the three goals in three games haven’t been enough against solid competition.

The Elko New Market City Council will hold a special meeting tonight (Thursday) at 5 p.m.
The council will consider a request from the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) for a 30-day extension on the possible need for an EAW (Environmental Assessment Worksheet) regarding the proposal from Niagara Bottling for a water bottling plant in the city’s industrial park.
For more see the Jan. 26 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Gordon “Gordy” Prochaska, age 71, of Montgomery/ Florence, AZ., passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at his home in AZ. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 27 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 28 at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with visitation from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the church with Father George Grafsky officiating. Interment will be held in St. Scholastica Cemetery in Heidelberg at a later date.

As they begin their search to replace retiring Superintendent Tim Dittberner, New Prague School Board members want to know what qualities people believe the district’s next district leader ought to possess. The district has published an online survey it hopes residents and community members will complete by Wednesday, Jan. 25. The results of the survey will help create a profile the district’s consultant, South Central Services Cooperative, can use when reviewing applicants for the job. The superintendent profile will be presented at a special school board meeting Jan. 30.

Carol (McCollum) Deutsch, age 71, of Belle Plaine, MN, passed away on December 16, 2022.
A Christian Funeral will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jordan at 11:00AM on January 21st with Pastor Jeremy Glowicki presiding. Visitation prior to services from 10:00 – 11:00 AM.
Following the Christian Funeral, Carol will be laid to rest at Spirit Hill Cemetery, Jordan, MN.

Sheldon “Shel” Sindelar, age 93, of Prior Lake, MN, passed peacefully on January 13, 2023. A Celebration of Life Service will be on Monday, January 23, at 11 a.m., with visitation from 10-10:45 a.m., both at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Prior Lake. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred and distributed in Shel’s memory, by the family. 

Kenneth John Goettl, age 90, of Montgomery, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at his home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 18 from 3:30pm-8pm with KC Rosary in the evening at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 19 at 10:30am at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father Tom Niehaus and Father George Grafsky officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Montgomery area Honor Guard.

Marian Rose (Flicek) Bailey, age 93, of Nerstrand, died on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at home surrounded by her family.
 Funeral services will be held at Nerstrand United Methodist Church on Monday, January 16, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Gary Liker, officiating. Interment will follow at Methodist Memorial Knoll, rural Nerstrand.
 Visitation will be at Boldt Funeral Home in Faribault on Sunday, January 15, 2023, from 2 to 5 p.m. and also at the church for one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Jane Ann Johnson Hines. Born February 10, 1938 to Norman and Charlene Johnson in Madison, South Dakota. Jane died of causes related to dementia on January 12, 2023 at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine, Minnesota in the arms of family.
Jane was pre-deceased by her parents, brother Norman Johnson, twin sister, Joan Lervaag, and her youngest daughter, Jill M. Roiger Hines.

David Paul Kamis, 85, of Dundas passed away on Monday, January 9, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family. 
He was born in New Prague, Minnesota, the son of Adolph and Josephine (Vochoska).  He grew up in New Prague where he attended New Prague High School.  After graduation, he attended Minnesota State University where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in art education.