Barbara J. (Lind) Jongeling passed away at the age of 70, on Dec. 26, 2024.
She left behind her husband Kevin Jongeling from Spencer, Iowa; brother Harold (Charlie) Lind and wife Sandra from New Prague, and sister Nancy (Lind) Drum & Bob from Ruthven, Iowa. She had many nieces & nephews.

Kenneth L. Helgestad, age 96, of New Prague, Minnesota, formerly of Edgerton, Wisconsin and Richfield, Minnesota, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, while under hospice care. He was born in Edgerton, Wisconsin on January 7, 1929, the son of the late Peter and Bergliot (Stalsberg) Helgestad.

Francis “Chico” Krenik, age 87 of Northfield, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, March 31, 2025, at Three Links Care Center.
 
Francis Albert “Chico” Krenik was born to Frank J. And Emma C. (Sticha) Krenik in Wheatland Township, Rice County, on December 4, 1937.  He attended Immaculate Conception School in Lonsdale, graduating in 1951, then graduated from Northfield High School in 1955.  He had two years of post-secondary education. 

Stephanie J. Rahn was born October 2, 1948, in Faribault, Minnesota, to William and Jacqueline (Springer) Luther. She passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Golden Years of Walworth.

Robert “Bob” Henry Koenig, age 84, of Belle Plaine, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Mala Strana in New Prague. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Fr. Michael Kaluza will preside, concelebrating with Fr. Eugene Theisen. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday morning.

Patrick William Smith, Jr., age 89, of West Saint Paul, MN, formally of Le Center, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025, at Walker Methodist Care Facility. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Le Center, MN.  

Leroy F. Mamer, age 88, of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Leroy was born on July 16, 1936, in New Prague, to Henry and Josephine (Nohava) Mamer.  He graduated from New Prague High School and entered the US Air Force, serving in Saudi Arabia.  
Leroy married Arlene M. Sindelar on August 6, 1955, at Most Holy Trinity Church in Veseli, MN, and the two made their home and raised their two sons in New Prague.  

Duane Deutsch, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, farmer, and friend, passed away March 24, 2025.
A time of gathering will be held for Duane on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (104 First Street West) in Jordan. An additional gathering will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Ridges on Sand Creek Golf Course (21775 Ridges Drive) in Jordan, from 10:00-10:50 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be provided by the Jordan Vets Honor Guard.

The Elko New Market City Council honored 10 of its employees at its Thursday, March 13, meeting. A brief biography was read for each employee, including what department they work in, their position and their history with the city.
Mayor Andrew Ganfield read each biography and presented the employees with a certificate or plaque.

Who needs a “Clue”? There will be plenty of hints dropped by New Prague High School students as they perform the play “Clue - High School Edition.” It will be presented Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m. both evenings and Sunday, April 6, at 2 p.m.

Christy wins unanimous backing; medical emergency pulls Beulke from consideration
Ann Christy’s commitment to education and serving her community paid off Monday when members of the New Prague Area School Board selected her to fill the vacancy on the board.

Dane Tupy knows how to make adjustments when things aren’t quite right. This weekend, he hopes there will be no need for adjustments and he’ll be right on target.

Noreen A. Hruby passed away quietly on March 4, 2025, at her home in Mankato.
Noreen was born in New Prague, MN, on January 30, 1949, to Leonard and Bernice Hruby (Kajer) and lived most of her life in Mankato. She was the oldest of seven and leaves behind siblings, Richard (Mary Jo), Margaret (Gary), Barbara (Gary), Anita (Keith), and Stevie and many nieces and nephews. Her parents and brother, Mark preceded her in death.

NP senior earns all-state HM honors
In addition to the personal and team accolades she earned during her playing career, New Prague senior Katie Boulanger has been named all-state/honorable mention among Class AAAA players.
Boulanger was named one of 24 recipients of the honorable mention honors in Class AAAA. Ten players from each class (1A to 4A) were named to the all-state team

They are hoping to bring the experience and success enjoyed at two event venues in Faribault to New Prague. Will it work? Ryan and Jenny Ernster, the new-owners-to-be of The Broz Hotel are confident they can do it.

Merlin James Plonsky left this world peacefully on March 19, 2025, at the age of 79, surrounded by his family at Central Health Care in Le Center. Merlin was born on April 24, 1945, to Peter and Cecelia (Konopik) Plonsky. He grew up in Montgomery and graduated in 1963 from Montgomery High School.
 He was united in marriage to Carmen Dalsted, on May 8, 1965. He started his career as a professional painter alongside his father-in-law and later went on his own as Plonsky Painting.