Leon Charles Zweber, age 87 of Elko New Market, MN passed away peacefully on April 7, 2023 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. He was a dairy and crop farmer his entire life. Leon was born on December 7, 1935 to Wilfred and Loretta Zweber. 

Debra A. Kohout Gillard, age 59, of New Prague, died unexpectedly after a brief illness on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital, Mankato. Deb was born on July 23, 1963 in New Prague to Martin J. and Shirley M.

John George Stasney, age 96, of Montgomery, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023 at Central Health Care in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 12 from 4pm-8pm at Schoenbauer Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Fr. Tom Niehaus officiating. Visitation will also be one hour prior at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

Michael Dean Bakken, 66, of Mound, MN, passed away unexpectedly at home on March 28, 2023.
Mike (known as “sto” to many) had a great passion for cooking and was excellent at it! He was fun loving with a contagious personality that drew people to him and a true kid at heart.  He enjoyed fishing, spending time at the cabin near Crosslake, fireworks and he especially loved spending time with his family. Mike was very proud of his three granddaughters.

Galen G. “Gater” George, age 71, of New Prague, Minnesota, died unexpectedly at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague on Monday, March 27, 2023. Gater was born on April 2, 1951 in Winfield, Kansas to Harold Gene and Molly (Larsson) George. He grew up in the the Wichita area, served in the US Army and returned to Wichita before finally settling in New Prague about 10 years ago. He was a favorite and beloved employee of Mystic Lake Casino. Gater loved everything that had to do with motorcycles and motorized vehicles.

Clarence F. Skluzacek, age 93, of Lonsdale, MN passed away peacefully on March 29, 2023, at The Villages of Lonsdale. Clarence was born on May 10, 1929 to Albert and Hattie (Smisek) Skluzacek on the family farm in Lonsdale. He went to the Immaculate Conception School for 10 years and then worked on his family farm. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Hertaus on June 29, 1954.

Sage August McGehee, age 22, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at his home on Monday, March 27, 2023.  Sage was born on October 25, 2000 in Virginia, Minnesota to Aaron Mellgren and Bobbi Jo McGehee.  He spent from age 2-12 in Texas and then moved to New Prague, attending New Prague Public Schools.  He lived in northern Minnesota for a few years before finally settling in New Prague.  He was an employee of Casey’s, loved by both the staff and the customers he served.  Sage had an infectious smile, drawing people to him naturally.  He enjoyed

Robert “Bob” Louis Heilman, age 71, of Le Center, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at his home. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 31 from 4 pm-8 pm at Le Center Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 1 at 11 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Le Center with visitation one hour prior. Interment will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery in Le Center at a later date.

Alice M. Busacker, age 73 of Jordan, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, March 25, 2023. A visitation will be held Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant St. SE) in Prior Lake. A Christian Funeral will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 11:00 AM, with visitation from 10-11:00 AM, both at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Fish Lake (20200 Fairlawn Avenue) in Prior Lake, MN. Reverend Dr. Brent L. Parrish will preside.