Kenneth L. Helgestad, age 96, of New Prague, Minnesota, formerly of Edgerton, Wisconsin and Richfield, Minnesota, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, while under hospice care. He was born in Edgerton, Wisconsin on January 7, 1929, the son of the late Peter and Bergliot (Stalsberg) Helgestad.
Francis “Chico” Krenik, age 87 of Northfield, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, March 31, 2025, at Three Links Care Center.
Francis Albert “Chico” Krenik was born to Frank J. And Emma C. (Sticha) Krenik in Wheatland Township, Rice County, on December 4, 1937. He attended Immaculate Conception School in Lonsdale, graduating in 1951, then graduated from Northfield High School in 1955. He had two years of post-secondary education.
Robert “Bob” Henry Koenig, age 84, of Belle Plaine, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Mala Strana in New Prague. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Fr. Michael Kaluza will preside, concelebrating with Fr. Eugene Theisen. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday morning.
Patrick William Smith, Jr., age 89, of West Saint Paul, MN, formally of Le Center, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025, at Walker Methodist Care Facility. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Le Center, MN.
Leroy F. Mamer, age 88, of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center. Leroy was born on July 16, 1936, in New Prague, to Henry and Josephine (Nohava) Mamer. He graduated from New Prague High School and entered the US Air Force, serving in Saudi Arabia.
Leroy married Arlene M. Sindelar on August 6, 1955, at Most Holy Trinity Church in Veseli, MN, and the two made their home and raised their two sons in New Prague.
Stephanie J. Rahn was born October 2, 1948, in Faribault, Minnesota, to William and Jacqueline (Springer) Luther. She passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Golden Years of Walworth.
Duane Deutsch, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, farmer, and friend, passed away March 24, 2025.
A time of gathering will be held for Duane on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (104 First Street West) in Jordan. An additional gathering will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Ridges on Sand Creek Golf Course (21775 Ridges Drive) in Jordan, from 10:00-10:50 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be provided by the Jordan Vets Honor Guard.
Noreen A. Hruby passed away quietly on March 4, 2025, at her home in Mankato.
Noreen was born in New Prague, MN, on January 30, 1949, to Leonard and Bernice Hruby (Kajer) and lived most of her life in Mankato. She was the oldest of seven and leaves behind siblings, Richard (Mary Jo), Margaret (Gary), Barbara (Gary), Anita (Keith), and Stevie and many nieces and nephews. Her parents and brother, Mark preceded her in death.
Merlin James Plonsky left this world peacefully on March 19, 2025, at the age of 79, surrounded by his family at Central Health Care in Le Center. Merlin was born on April 24, 1945, to Peter and Cecelia (Konopik) Plonsky. He grew up in Montgomery and graduated in 1963 from Montgomery High School.
He was united in marriage to Carmen Dalsted, on May 8, 1965. He started his career as a professional painter alongside his father-in-law and later went on his own as Plonsky Painting.
Robert “Bob” Ernest Sapp of Le Center passed away March 12, 2025, at St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, Minnesota.
Karen Ann Hinderscheit, age 61, of New Prague, died unexpectedly with her family at her side on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague ER. Karen was born on June 10, 1963, in New Prague, to Leonard and Rosemary (Tupy) Franek. She had humble beginnings being raised on a farm with her Mom, Dad, and two sisters, Donna and Debbie. Those lessons of humility were threaded throughout her life. She graduated from New Prague High School and went on to graduate from Ritter’s Beauty College in Faribault. A hardworking and dedicated employee, she always went abo
Irene D. Kubes, age 93, of Lakeville, passed away on February 23, 2025.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Kubes; son, Allen Kubes; her parents, Edward and Anna Sevcik; her brother Arnie Sevcik, and many in-laws.
Irene is survived by sons, Ronald (Pamela), Mark and Kevin; grandchildren, Bryan Kubes (Laura), Scott Kubes, Scarlet Mockwitz-Kubes and Preston Mockwitz-Kubes; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Shirley Teske; many other relatives and friends.
Beloved wife and mother, Janet “Jan” Horsley, age 40, of New Prague, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at home. Jan was born November 13, 1984, to Paul and Cheryl (Westholder) Hartman in Shakopee, where she grew up and attended Shakopee High School. She met Kris Horsley on Christian Mingle in November of 2012. Despite many technological snafus, both of them knew within a week of connecting that they were meant to be together. Kris told his mom the day after Thanksgiving as she was leaving to return to Montana that he was going to “marry this woman”. She knew the same!
Harold Holec, age 61, of Plymouth, MN, died Feb 16, 2025, at Sunrise Senior Living in Minnetonka after a long, brave battle.
Harold was born Nov 6, 1963, in New Prague, MN, to Henry E. Holec and Lucille D. Cornetet.
He graduated from New Prague High School in 1982 and soon after, joined the Navy. After discharge, Harold moved to the Washington DC area.
Janet K. Walker, age 82, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Janet was born on October 30, 1942, in Winnebago, MN, to Earl Pierce and Florence Nowak Pierce. She grew up in Winnebago and was a 1960 graduate of Winnebago High School. She met a young man on a blind date and it went so well that he showed up on her doorstep the very next day and they both knew it was a "match made in heaven". She and Francis L. Walker were married on November 17, 1962, at St.