Josephine Marie (Bowatz) Bachinski, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on February 24th, 2022, at the age of 92.
But death is not the conclusion of her saga. Instead, it's a page break in a book that never ends. So let me take you back to the beginning, let me share with you the tale of Jo Bachinski.
On September 3rd, 1929, the near century long story of Josephine began. She was the youngest child of Alois and Mary Bowatz. And it was on the family farm in Kimball, Minnesota, that the legend started to take form, that a star began to rise.

Linda DeMann, age 69, of Northfield, passed away Thursday, February 17, 2022, in Northfield.
 

Ardelle A. Solheid, age 81, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, February 21, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague.  Ardelle was born on December 15, 1940 in New Prague  to John T. and Anna A. (Pianko) Schoenecker.  She grew up in the Union Hill area, attended parochial school there, graduated from New Prague High School, and graduated from Minnesota School of Business in 1959.  Ardelle married Gerald “Oscar” Solheid at St.

Father William Joseph Paron, age 78, of Waconia passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 18, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Community (41 East 1st St. in Waconia. Archbishop Bernard Hebda presiding.  Concelebrants of the Mass are Father Stan Mader, Father Martin Shallbetter and Deacon Joseph Paron. Visitation held from 9:30 A.M. until time of Mass at the church.  Interment Catholic Cemetery in Shakopee.  No lunch will be served.

Former St. Wenceslaus Pastor (1982 – 1998), Father William Joseph Paron, age 78, of Waconia passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 18, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Community (41 East 1st St) in Waconia.  Visitation held from 9:30 A.M. until time of Mass at the church.  Interment in Catholic Cemetery in Shakopee.

Thomas F. Simon, age 75 of Lonsdale, passed away Friday, February 11th, 2022 at Reflections of Three Links Care Center in Northfield. Tom was born on November 8th, 1946 in Northfield, Minnesota to Raymond & Ann Skluzacek Simon.

Wayne E. Whipps, age 74 of Jordan, passed away quietly at his home on February 9, 2022.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 1-3 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. 

He was born August 10, 1959, at the hospital in New Prague, MN and passed away in the early morning hours on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at his home after an 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Gregg Busch was the eldest son of Roger & Mamie (Stehlik) Busch. He had three younger brothers, Tom, Pete, and Brad.  

John (Jake) “Pops” Keohen, age 83, of Montgomery, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather left this earth to join his heavenly Father on February 8th, 2022.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kay; his sons, John “Jake”, Pete, Matt, Tim’s widow, Diana; stepchildren, Scott (Diane), Craig (Carolyn), Pam (Larry), Faith (Randy) and sister, Kathryn (Tatty); 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Jerry; sisters, Mary Hennes and Patricia Rynda; brother, Jerry and son, Tim “Wally”.

Alfred C. Zaun, "Al", age 87, of Shakopee, Minnesota, entered eternal life on Sunday, February 6, 2022, in Shakopee.
 
Al was born on October 16, 1934, in Jordan, Minnesota, the son of Alfred H. and Delphine (Busch) Zaun. He graduated from Jordan High School, and then Mankato State University where he majored in Biology, and minored in Math and Business. He was employed first as a teacher, and then as a chemist for Honeywell, and Bureau of Mines. Al married Ann Sirek on November 22, 1958 in Veseli, Minnesota.
 

Bernice J. “Sis” Bergstrom, age 80 of Morristown, formerly of New Market, passed away on 2/6/22.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Duane; infant sister, Nancy; siblings, Lois, Melvin, Marlene, Jerry, Mary, and Betty. Survived by her children: Jeff (Brenda), Todd (Jeanne), and Mark (Myra) Bergstrom; 5 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, 5 great-granddaughters, 2 great-grandsons; brothers: Jim (Mary Lou) Simon and Joe (Sandee) Simon.
Gathering of family and friends will be held 4-7 PM Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at White Funeral Home, 20134 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville, MN.

George David Kovarik, of Osceola, IN passed away peacefully on Jan. 23, 2022, surrounded by his family.
George was born Sept 21, 1945, in New Prague, MN to George and Sylvia Kovarik and is survived by his wife of 56 years Patricia, sister Irene (Art Bolduc) Kovarik, and daughters Shelley (Scott) Suckow, Amy (Jason Maki) Kovarik, Laura (Billy) Cronkhite, and grandchildren Aidan and Sylvia Suckow, Nicholas Kovarik, and Billy and Samantha Cronkhite. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Darlene Kovarik.

Lois Carolyn Holetz, age 90, of Montgomery passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and special caregivers on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Traditions Assisted Living in Montgomery.

Fredrick Albert Roushar, age 68, passed away February 2, 2022. Fred was born in Minneapolis, MN, on July 19, 1953 to Albert & Sylvia Roushar. He grew up in Chanhassen, MN and later moved to Lonsdale, MN where he spent the remainder of his life.

Otis Richard Bell, Jr., 69, (formerly New Prague) passed away January 30, 2022 at his home in Ava, Missouri.
Otis was born March 12, 1952 in New Prague, Minnesota to Otis Thomas Bell, Sr. and Geraldine Doris (Ruehling) Bell.
Otis liked vintage cars and going to car shows. He enjoyed live music and being around people. He also loved watching the wildlife such as the deer, turkeys, and cardinals out the back window. Otis had a heart of gold and enjoyed helping others.

Jean Mary Jirik, 89, of Blackduck, MN died peacefully Wednesday, January 19, 2022, after suffering a massive stroke. She was surrounded by her loving family at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, Bemidji, MN.