Rosemary "Rosie" Franek, age 88, of New Prague, sadly passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Mala Strana Healthcare Center.  Rosemary was born on February 13, 1936, in Wheatland Township, Rice County, to William F. and Mary Tupy, the youngest of four with three older brothers.  She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School.  She went on to work at Queen of Peace Hospital for many years.  Rosie married Leonard Franek on September 18, 1956.  The couple was blessed with and raised three daughters on their beautiful family farm.

Marion J. Tuma, age 93, died on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at the Villages of Lonsdale.  Marion Julia (Koldin) Tuma was born April 7, 1931, on the family farm in Rice County, Minnesota to Joseph J. and Mary Ann (Pesta) Koldin.  She was baptized, and received her first Communion and Confirmation at Immaculate Conception Church in Lonsdale.  She attended District 46 Country School, and Parochial School in Lonsdale.  On May 17, 1949, she married Francis A.

Douglas Brian Simon, age 58, of Veseli, died peacefully at home with his family at his side on Saturday, June 29, 2024.  Doug was born on August 7, 1965, in New Prague to Milton C. and Janet M. (Turek) Simon.  He attended LNMV Catholic School, graduated from New Prague High School, and went on to attend the Hennepin Tech Journeyman Program.  He worked in painting and wall covering for Wasche Commercial Finishes, Inc.

Virgil M. “Cutter” Brueggemeier, age 68, of New Prague, died unexpectedly after a short battle with cancer, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital Rochester.  Virgil was born on September 28, 1955, in Gaylord, MN, to Martin and Violet (Brockoff) Brueggemeier.  He graduated from Arlington Green Isle High School in 1973 and two years later, married Katherine K. Winter on November 21, 1975, at St.

Wilson J. “Butch” Peterman, age 72, of Le Center, died on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Graveside service to be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on Friday, July 5 at 11 a.m. Honors will be given by the Fort Snelling Cemetery Honor Guard.

Rosemary (Rosie or Rose) Hasty, was a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife and best friend, and she leaves behind a legacy of laughter. She was known for a lot of fantastic things, but making people laugh and feel good about themselves was her specialty. People were drawn to her, laughing with her, breathing her in, always walking away in stitches.

Kenneth “Ken/Kenny” Kimmet, age 74, of Le Center, died on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the Estates of Roseville in Roseville. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 2 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 3 at 11 a.m. at St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Heidelberg with visitation one hour prior at the Church. Interment will be held in St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Heidelberg. Military honors will be provided by the Montgomery Area Veteran Honor Guard.

Norman Kent Nelson, 98, of Rochester, MN, died June 9, 2024, at Charter House in Rochester, MN.
 Born February 9, 1926, in West Palm Beach, Florida, he married Hilda Marie Olive of Durham, NC, in 1949. Norman received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Duke University where he was employed as public information officer for the Duke Medical Center. In 1964, he and his family moved to Rochester, MN. He was a member of the Section of Communications at Mayo Clinic until 1979, when he retired to pursue his interest in watercolor painting.

Peter Grossman, age 94, of Northfield, passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side, on Thursday morning, June 20, 2024.

Amber Simon, 44, passed away on June 16, 2024, in her home surrounded by family. She was the wife of Tom Simon, formerly of New Prague. They shared 21 wonderful years of marriage together.
 
Born in Howard, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Gary and Gia Long. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with an English degree and went on to work as a technical writer, a career she excelled in and loved.

Gladys “Dee” Soulek, age 97, of Eagan, died peacefully, as the result of a fall, with her family at her side, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital.  Dee was born on February 11, 1927, in Montgomery, Minnesota, to George and Albina (Jakes) Trcka.  She graduated from Montgomery High School and married Clarence E.

Carrie Rose (Sticha) Simon, age 47, of Montgomery, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 2, 2024, after a courageous battle against cancer.
 Visitation was held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father Tom Niehaus officiating. Interment was at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in New Prague.

Garry L. Goble, age 75, of Elko New Market, died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 9, 2024.  Garry was born on January 8, 1949, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Donald and Myra (Edeburn) Goble.  He grew up in Minneapolis but spent most of his life “south of the river” in the Prior Lake/New Prague area.  Garry served in the US Army for a number of years, which inspired a legacy of his children also serving.  After service, he spent his work life in plastic manufacturing in injection molding.

Joyce F. Madson, age 87, of Lonsdale, passed away June 5, 2024, at Villages of Lonsdale.
Joyce was born December 22, 1936, on the family farm in Greenvale Township, Northfield, the youngest of 8 children, to Carl and Marie (Hanson) Johnson. The farm was eventually sold, and they moved to Dundas.  After Joyce graduated from Northfield High School in 1954, she worked as a secretary at the Odd Fellows Home (now Three Links) in Northfield.

Joan F. Kokoszynski (Cleasby) passed away on 05/15/2024, in Winter Park, FL.  Joan was born to Ed and Adeline Cleasby in New Prague, MN, on April 10, 1953, and grew up   in Lonsdale where she attended Immaculate Conception grade school.  Joan went to High School in Montgomery, MN, graduating in 1971, and went to college at Winona State for a few years.

Rita Ann (Rosendahl) Shimota, age 89, of Hugo, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2024.
She was born May 18, 1934, in Tyrone Township, MN, to Charlie and Dolores and grew up and was schooled in New Prague, MN. She married her husband, Leonard Shimota, in 1954 and they made their first home in Minnetonka. Their new family then moved in 1971 to an old farmstead in rural Hugo.
Preceded in death by her parents; husband of 64 years, Leonard; brother, Richard; and brother- and sister-in-law, Wilbert and Caroline.