JoAnn Marie Petricka, age 81.

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, JoAnn Marie Petricka, on Saturday, October 18, 2025. She leaves us with a life of love, charity, selflessness and world famous recipes.

Born on February 24, 1944, to Mary Ann and John Clarence Pomije in New Prague, MN, JoAnn was the second youngest of four sisters, Marion, Dorothy, Janet and Grace.

Gerald W. Williams, age 97, of New Prague, died peacefully on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community in Shakopee.  He was born on July 27, 1928, on the family farm in Chanhassen Township to Joseph P.

Ralph M. Wagner, age 91, of New Market, passed away November 5, 2025, at his home peacefully surrounded by family.

John “Jack” Frank Vlasak, age 85, of Montogomery, MN, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2025, at Mala Strana Assisted Living – Rehabilitation Center in New Prague, with his loving family by his side.

Mary E. Thera, age 87, of New Prague, formerly of Inver Grove Heights and West St. Paul, died peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Mary was born on Aprill 16, 1938, in St. Paul, to Henry and Helen (Smith) Thera.  She graduated from Our Lady of Peace High School in St. Paul and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo College.  She worked as a medical technologist and Supervisor of Hematology at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Paul.

Sharon Ann (Hillesheim) Malecha, age 84, of Lonsdale, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 31, 2025, at United Hospital in St. Paul, surrounded by her children.

Sharon was born on May 10, 1941, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, to Nicholas B. and Veronica T. (Marz) Hillesheim. She graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in 1959. After high school, she attended secretarial school in Minneapolis and worked at Maico and Bell Telephone Security Systems.

Geraldine “Gerry” Mary Pany, age 90, of New Prague, died in the early morning hours of Friday, October 31, 2025, at Praha Village Senior Living in New Prague.

Jean D. Jirik , age 90, of Webster, passed away Oct. 29, 2025, at Three Links Care Center in
Northfield, MN.
 

Irene Rose Scheffler, age 100, of Benson, passed away Monday, October 27, 2025, in Benson, Minnesota.

Irene was born October 9, 1925, on the family farm in Rice County near Veseli, Minnesota, to Bohumil and Ludmilla (Kalina) Simon. She was the fifth of nine children.