Catherine M. Simek, age 63, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, November 13, 2023, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Cathy was born on April 23, 1960, in New Prague to Lawrence and Gladys (David) Simek.  She attended St. Wenceslaus Parochial School and graduated from New Prague High School. Cathy began her career as a nursing assistant at Mala Strana Nursing Home then worked as a clerk at Kmart for over 10 years before returning to Mala Strana Assisted Living where she was currently working in the housekeeping department.

Constance Stuewe, 65, of Belle Plaine, passed away on November 12, 2023, in Shakopee, MN, surrounded by her family. A mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM on Monday, November 20, 2023, at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. The visitation will be the evening prior on Sunday, November 19, from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine.  Fr. Michael Kaluza will officiate.  Burial will be in the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery.

Timothy Bolton, age 62, of Montgomery, died surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Systems, New Prague on Nov. 10, 2023. He was born Nov. 16, 1960, in Mankato to Harvey and Trulie Bolton.  
 Tim enjoyed working on cars in his younger years, often making them as fast as he could.
 Tim graduated from Mankato West High School in 1979. He married his first wife Becky a few years later.  
 They moved to Colorado in 1989. There, he fell in love with the mountains, enjoyed taking his family up jeep trails with friends, dirt biking and hunting.

Roger J.

New Prague High School’s volleyball team finished its run at state in the championship match Saturday, Nov. 11, for Class AAAA at Xcel Energy Center. New Prague finished second to the No. 1-seeded Wayzata Trojans.
While Wayzata won in a three game sweep, New Prague made it battle for each point. For more see an upcoming print edition of The Times.

The New Prague Veterans Honor Guard present the colors at the beginning of the Veterans Day program in New Prague High School’s gym Friday, Nov. 10. the 30-minute program at the high school had music and speeches to honor area veterans. The Friday program was one of several held at area schools, nursing homes and churches in the New Prague area recognizing veterans who served in all branches of the military. (Patrick Fisher photo)

He was a young man off the farm just a few miles west of New Prague. His mother was a German immigrant who watched her homeland plunged into the depths of war and her son save 166 of his comrades from execution at a notorious concentration camp.
Ben Scharf eventually came home to the United States after the war. He survived a hurricane and eventually settled in California. Like many of the veterans of his generation, he didn’t speak much of his life as a soldier during World War II. He spent the rest of his life as a hard-worker and a veteran who served his country.

Saturday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, a time we should especially remember to honor the service of our country’s military veterans, men and women who have given so much so we can enjoy our daily lives in relative ease and comfort.

New Prague High School’s volleyball team qualified for the Class AAAA state finals as the Trojans swept Stillwater Area in three games Thursday, Nov. 9. New Prague, the No. 2-seed in the state tournament, will face the No. 1-seeded Wayzata Trojans Saturday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Wayzata beat Anoka 3-0 in the other semifinal match.

The Le Sueur County Government Center will be illuminated green Nov. 6-12 as part of Operation Green Light to show support for military veterans, as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist Veterans and their families.
By shining a green light, we let our Veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported.
Rice County
Rice County will light its Government Services Building green through Nov. 13 as part of Operation Green

Correction: Veterans Mass at St. Wenceslaus will be Sunday, Nov. 12, 8:30 a.m., not Friday, Nov. 10 as published in Nov. 9 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Section meet at Lakeville this week
Members of the New Prague High School swimming & diving team say the difference between setting a new school or pool record is razor thin, a difference equating to tenths or hundredths of a second. Or, between making it to the state meet and coming up just short.

What do you call a musical where you see Horton hearing a Who and The Cat in the Hat? Why “Seussical” of course. New Prague High School students will present five performances of the production beginning Friday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., at the high school auditorium.
Other performance dates are Saturday, Nov 18, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov 19, 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov 25, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov 26, at 2 p.m.
“Seussical” the musical brings to life favorite Dr. Seuss characters such as Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo.

New Prague High School’s volleyball team advanced to Class AAAA state semifinals as the Trojans defeated Minnetonka, 3-1, Wednesday, Nov. 8.
New Prague will face Stillwater Area match Thursday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m. at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Stillwater defeated Rogers, 3-2, to reach the semifinal round.

Voters in the New Prague School District turned down the district’s request for additional local revenue for general fund operations Tuesday, Nov. 7, by 36 votes.
By a 2,471 to 2,436 margin, voters rejected a request for an additional $450 per student for 10 years, adjusted for inflation. The proposal, had it passed, would have added about $231 per year – about $19.29 per month – to the school district’s share of property taxes on a house valued for taxation at $350,000.

Leander A. “Corky” Wagner, age  88, of Elko New Market, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, November 4, 2023.  Lee was born on February 6, 1935, on the family farm in New Market Township to Edward and Evelyn (Lenzmeier) Wagner, Sr.  He attended St. Nicholas Catholic School and graduated from New Prague High School.  He served in the US Army after  high school and came home to marry the woman who had captured his heart and written to him throughout his years in the service.  Lee married Victoria L.