Joe Vaughan, age 85, of New Prague, died Tuesday, July 12, 2022.  Mass of Christian Burial, Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus.  Visitation Friday, July  22 from 4-8 PM at Bruzek Funeral Home.

Phyllis Marie Pelowski, age 90, of Lexington passed away on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Mala Strana Health Care in New Prague.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 12 from 4:00 -7:00 pm at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, July 13 at 10:30 am at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father Tom Niehaus & Father Mike Krenik officiating.
Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Lexington.

The American Cancer Society hosted its annual Le Sueur County Relay for Life event, which is a celebration for cancer survivors as well as those who died from the disease. Honorary Survivor Julie Harmon and her family made the Survivor's and Caregivers Lap at the start of the Relay in Le Center.

The Saemrow family has been named Rice County’s 2022 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota.
Charles Saemrow first settled the Saemrow farm in the early 1890s. Charles’ son, Herman took over the operation in the 1930s. He was followed by his son Herb in the 1950s. Then, in the 1980s, Herb’s sons Ron, Gordon, Keith, and Wayne assumed ownership. The four brothers and their families own and run the operation.

Hoffbeck, James E., age 80, born March 27, 1942 in Farmington, MN passed away the morning of July 5, 2022 at his home in Isanti, MN. Jim is a 1960 graduate of Lakeville High School. He was a truck driver/mechanic for many years, including 30 years as the owner /operator of Tri-H Trucking. After his retirement, he spent his “free” time helping to keep the grounds looking pristine at the Pathfinder Golf Course in Hinckley, MN. Jim was also an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed spending time with his family and somehow always won at any kind of card game.

This year’s Honorary Survivor of the Le Sueur County Relay for Life knows both sides of cancer.
For close to 43 years, Julie Harmon of New Prague has worked as a nurse at Mayo Clinic Health System (formerly Queen of Peace), New Prague Hospital.
She lives the role of a caregiver.
In July 2018, the role was reversed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a first for her family.

Only a handful of games in the DRS Amateur Baseball League were played over the past week. Veseli played three games, including a pair against Lonsdale.
The Aces defeated the Warriors, 8-6 Sunday, July 3 and 13-0 in eight innings Monday, July 4. Veseli also was defeated Wednesday, June 29, 8-5 by Montgomery.

New Prague Times Sports fans or alumni of Ohio State University likely heard in the last week that the university has been successful in trademarking “The” when referring to the college. For anyone that doesn’t know beginning around three decades ago Ohio State started a campaign to make it stand out by referring to itself as The Ohio State University. It is something that has taken off in its use by football players and a lot of the alumni at the university.

Schoenecker, Joseph Alvin, 82, of Bloomington, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2022 after a lengthy illness.  Joe is survived by loving wife of 59 years, Rosemary; children, Brad (Jodi) Schoenecker, Lisa (Terry) Wright, Doug Schoenecker (former spouse Kara), Bryan (Allyson) Schoenecker, and Kellie (Patrick) Migliaccio; grandchildren, Sydney, Trevor, Lauren, Andrea, Kelsi (Greg), Toni, Zach, Paige, Lexi, Lucas, Olivia, and Brian.  He is also survived by brothers, Virgil, and Earl (Mary); sisters, Rosemary Lambrecht, and LaDonna Peller; sisters-in-law, Rosie, MaryAnn, Emily, Dorothy, Cathy,

Flowers and greenery were being placed and planted along Main Street on Wednesday, July 6, in New Prague. The plants were being put down in several locations along the street from the west end near the railroad tracks and going east. For more see a print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Bernice E. Devine, age 90 of Elko-New Market, passed away on July 5, 2022. Preceded in death by her husband, Robert; infant children; Ann, Allen, Patricia and Michael; son-in-law Jarrett Bly; siblings: John, Willie, Genny, Laura, and Mike; in-laws, Ronnie DeGross and Geralda Wagner.

Linzy Bannie was offered, and has accepted, the Assistant Activities Director position at New Prague Area Schools (pending approval by the New Prague School Board).

Tom Panek, age 82, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on June 29, 2022 surrounded by his family at home. He was born on April 5, 1940 to Thomas F. and Mayme (Kucina) Panek.
He graduated from New Prague High School, and earned an Associate's Degree in commercial construction.
In 1963 Tom married Jane Hentges, enjoying 38 years with her until she passed away. They welcomed their wonderful children Jean (Gary) Langdon, Mark (Pattie) Panek, and Sandra (Mike) Overstreet. Then in 2002 Tom married Naomi Cooper to add fullness to his life.

Darleen D. Tupy, age 82, of New Prague, died peacefully on Monday, July 4th, 2022 at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Darleen was born on December 17, 1939 in Wheatland Township, Rice County, MN to Casper J. and Mary E. (Simota) Dols.  She grew up in the Veseli area, attending Most Holy Trinity Parochial School and graduating from NPHS.  She married Leonard M.

New Prague had an incredible fireworks display the evening of Sunday, July 3. There was also beautiful weather for the show as it was clear and temperatures were around 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The American Legion Post 45 Park Ballroom and Jeff Belzer’s were the sponsors of the show that began at 10 p.m. near the New Prague Middle School. The end of the show had the crowd cheering. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason reports that at approx. 0640 hours on July 1, 2022, deputies responded to a residence located on the southwest shore of Lake Washington, in Washington Township for a Missing Person Report.