Jean Mader, age 81, of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at her home in New Prague. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 25 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery with a memorial service with Fr. George Grafsky, officiating. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery in the spring.

A written agenda now accompanies me to the dinner table.
After my family of four eats and finishes chatting about our day, I pull out my list, which sets my daughters’ eyes rolling.
Anna and Ellen, ages 13 and 10, think it’s ridiculous that I now have a “Family Agenda” notebook, but they do sit up and pay attention when I click my pen into action mode.
I begin:
- Are we going to cousin Gus’ basketball game tomorrow. If so, how are we going to make it happen?

The Minnesota River Bulldogs 12U Girls Hockey, ages 12 and under, were surprised in Woodbury on a very snowy January 3. The girls expected to arrive playing a typical game against the Woodbury 12U B1 team. All other TCU and area schools activities were cancelled this day because of an ongoing winter storm. This game, however, was not cancelled.

Kenneth L. Krocak, age 64, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. 
Ken was born on April 22, 1958 in St. Paul to Lloyd F. and Nancy (Holub) Krocak.  He grew up in Roseville and Prior Lake, graduating from Prior Lake High School.  He married Katherine Lynch, and though the marriage would dissolve, the couple raised their three children.  Ken had many jobs throughout his life, including working for a flooring business and most currently as a computer technician.

A fifth grader and an eighth grader were the last two Titans standing in the district’s 2023 Spelling Bee on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 12. The competition was held at TCU Montgomery’s auditorium.
Fifth grader Taelynn Whipps held her own in the championship round, which put her up against TCU’s top spellers in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, but ultimately, eighth grader Madelyn Ryan, daughter of Stephanie and Jeff Ryan of Le Center, clinched the win by correctly spelling “engagement,” followed by “restoration.”
Twenty-six students participated in the bee.

Gordon “Gordy” Prochaska, age 71, of Montgomery/ Florence, AZ., passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at his home in AZ. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 27 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 28 at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with visitation from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the church with Father George Grafsky officiating. Interment will be held in St. Scholastica Cemetery in Heidelberg at a later date.

Kenneth John Goettl, age 90, of Montgomery, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at his home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 18 from 3:30pm-8pm with KC Rosary in the evening at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 19 at 10:30am at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father Tom Niehaus and Father George Grafsky officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Montgomery area Honor Guard.

Marian Rose (Flicek) Bailey, age 93, of Nerstrand, died on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at home surrounded by her family.
 Funeral services will be held at Nerstrand United Methodist Church on Monday, January 16, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Gary Liker, officiating. Interment will follow at Methodist Memorial Knoll, rural Nerstrand.
 Visitation will be at Boldt Funeral Home in Faribault on Sunday, January 15, 2023, from 2 to 5 p.m. and also at the church for one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Gary A. Krocak, age 71 of Minnetrista.  Survived by his loving wife, Constance; sons, John, James (Emily) and David; grandchildren, Ocean and Skye; brothers, Bob (Rita), Don (Joyce), Tom (Jean) and Dick (Nancy); sisters-in-law, Suzanne Nordblom and Deborrah (John) Rainville; many nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by his parents, Agnes and Hubert; sister, Shirley Krocak.

Alice Marie Zika, age 89, of Montgomery, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 14 from 9 am-11 am at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 am. with Father Tom Niehaus officiating. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

Alice Marie Zika, age 89, of Montgomery passed away January 9, 2023.  
Mass of christian burial will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.  Visitation will be held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church from 9 am to 11 am on Saturday, January 14, 2023.  Survived by daughter, Deborah, granddaughter, Rochelle, brother Jerry (Lorraine) David of Montgomery, sister, Janet (Jerry) Gish of St. Peter and many other relatives and friends.
A full obituary will be published next week in the Montgomery Messenger and The New Prague Times.

I was in much better shape as a child and throughout my young adult life. I played little league, county pee-wee, and varsity baseball. There is one time where I remember running the fastest I have ever run in my life. I WAS running for my life.
Okay, maybe I wasn’t running for my life but I was pretty darn scared of what might unfold if I stopped! Let me explain.

It was one win and one loss for the TCU girls basketball team during their home tournament held Dec. 29 and 30 in Montgomery.
The Titans were defeated by Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 67-45 on Thursday. They came back to defeat JWP, 54-51 Friday evening. WEM was the only team in the tourney who were undefeated.
Sophomore Sophie Whipps scored 10 points off the bench and Ella Schmeising added nine points against the Buccaneers.

The TCU boys basketball team extended their home winning streak to three straight after winning both games in the TCU tournament Dec. 29 and 30.
The Titans defeated WEM, 68-49, Thursday and came back the following day to defeat JWP, 55-40.
The boys did not come out of the gate swinging, as they had somewhat of a slow start. against WEM. Going into halftime leading by only 1 point, the game continued to be an absolute battle until about halfway through the second half.

Three local wellness practitioners are now offering their services under one roof in downtown Montgomery.
Yogis Missy Gregor and Jordan Friendshuh have teamed up with evolve Fitness instructor Becki Lundquist to create Wellness Workshop, a shared space where they can bring their gifts to the community. The business, which is located at 120 First Street North, opened in November 2022

Because of severe weather and delivery complications, delivery of the Jan. 5 edition of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger for various areas could be delayed by a day or two. 
These papers will be available at newsstands in Montgomery and New Prague if you wish to pick one up.
Our apologies for any inconvenience.