John Dale Haase, Jr., age 53, of Belle Plaine,  died  after an extended battle with Covid on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, with his wife and sister at his side at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester.  John was born on March 12, 1968 in Blue Earth, MN to John D. and Kathryn A. (Gerberding) Haase, Sr.  He was a 1986 graduate of Blue Earth High School and attended Mankato State University.  John met and married the love of his life, Laura J.

The fall season is winding down and we recently had a taste of winter. Most of the trees have lost their leaves and for a brief time last week the temperatures dropped enough for us to have snow on the ground. For some people this is the time to start the annual grumble against winter. I’m usually not one of those as I realize that it is November and our climate tends to snow and cold temperatures.

Ronald Max Bartusek, age 75, of Veseli, died peacefully on November 15, 2021 at Mayo Hospital in Rochester.  He was born February 23, 1946 in Webster to Max and Josephine (Sticha) Bartusek.  He graduated from New Prague High School in 1964 and joined the US Navy in 1965.  He was stationed on an aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War and was discharged in 1967.  He then met his wife, Linda Kraska, and later married her on September 5, 1970 in Prior Lake.  They had two sons, Marty and Ronnie who gave them five grandchildren, Shelby, Reed, Avery, Logan, and Owen.  His wife, sons, and grandchi

David Graff, age 62 of Lonsdale, passed away unexpectedly on Monday evening, November 15, 2021, at the Northfield Hospital.

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason reported that law enforcement has located and spoken with Pamela Jewison, who was reported missing on Saturday, November 13th, 2021, by her family.
Sheriff Mason advised that this afternoon, at approx. 2:20 p.m., State Troopers in Idaho located Jewison traveling in her vehicle, traveling east on Interstate 90.

The family of a New Prague woman is looking for help locating her after she left home and never returned.
Jeffrey Jewison of rural New Prague contacted Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason’s office on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at approx. 5:23 p.m., to report his wife, Pamela Jewison, 50, was missing.
Jeffrey told the sheriff’s office his wife had not reported to work and her whereabouts were unknown. After the family and deputies were unable to contact Pamela, she was signed/entered as a Missing Person.

Eileen Dolores Burns, age 87, died of natural causes on November 04, 2021, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Blanche Havel Zellmer, age 99-3/4, passed away Thursday, November 11, 2021, at The Emeralds of Faribault. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father George Grafsky officiating.
Celebration of Life will follow from noon to 3 p.m. at the American Legion Club in Montgomery. Private family burial will be held in the St. John Catholic Cemetery in Montgomery. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to St. John’s Cemetery.

New Prague High School is having an early dismissal the morning of Monday, Nov. 15, due to issues with its power system.
In a message sent to all High School and CLC families:

Sara Ann White, age 42, of Elko New Market, died Friday November 12, 2021 at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Sara was born on September 24, 1979 in Waconia to Donald A. and Charlene A. (Reisgraf) Skluzacek. Sara graduated from New Prague High School and attended Hennepin Technical College, where she obtained her photography degree, and Minnesota School of Business where she earned her BS degree in Human Services. Married February 4, 2001 to Kristian W. White, she was currently employed as a loan officer with Veteran Affairs.

Eleanor A. “Ellie” Sirek, age 82, of Elko, entered eternal life on Saturday, November 13 as a result of complications from Covid-19 at Northfield Hospital. Ellie was born on February 21, 1939 in Wheatland Township to Emil and Anna Svoboda. She was born prematurely and fondly told the story about her parents putting her in a bread pan on the oven door to keep her warm. As an only child, she grew up on the family farm where she resided for her entire life. She graduated from New Prague High School and loved to tell everyone how she never missed a day of school.

Tom Goetzinger, left, receives the Minnesota Superior Civilian Service Award from Lt. General Richard Nash (retired) on Sunday, Nov. 14, during KCHK Radio’s annual Free Listener Appreciation Dance at the Park Ballroom in New Prague. Goetzinger was recognized for his support of the New Prague community and recognizing service members, veterans and their families. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Mary Alice Bastyr, age 77, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, died peacefully with her family at her side on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at St. Gertrude’s in Shakopee.  Mary was born on December 6, 1943, in Veseli, Wheatland Township, Minnesota, to Guy and Anna S. (Simon) Novak.  She attended Most Holy Trinity School in Veseli, and married Edward M. Bastyr on December 29, 1958, at Most Holy Trinity Church in Veseli.

A 42-year-old woman died on Friday, Nov. 12 in an ATV accident.
According to Jess Mullenmeister, Sergeant with the Rice County Sheriff’s Department, Sara White, 42, died when she was thrown from an ATV while it was being towed. The Rice County Sheriff’s Office responded to the accident at 30th St. W and Cass Ave. at approximately 12:23 p.m.
White was in the driver’s seat without a helmet when the accident occurred, the report said.

“If you’re looking for a silver lining in this pandemic, improved broadband service in Le Sueur County is one.”
- Barbara Dröher Kline
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Le Sueur County has spent $1.7 million of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to improve the speed and reliability of internet service throughout the county.