Elroy Milton Picha, 90, of Montgomery, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System New Prague Hospital. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m. with Father Victor Valencia officiating. Burial will be at Trebon Cemetery.

Judith Mae Williams (Eddans) died peacefully on May 29th, at Belgrade Nursing Home in Belgrade, MN. She was born in Minneapolis, MN on October 4, 1944 to Charles and Jean Eddans. She was raised on the shores of Lake Minnewashta in Excelsior, MN. Judy married Carl Williams on October 7, 1967. Together they made their home in Webster, MN, where they raised their two children. Judy worked at Sears as a secretary, where she met Carl.

James C. Mickus, age 85, of Savage died peacefully on May 29, 2019 at The Pillars Hospice Home in Oakdale.  Jim was born on December 7, 1933 in New Prague to Clement and Luverne (Nolden) Mickus.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School, graduated from New Prague High School, attained his undergraduate degree from St. Thomas University, and his Masters and PhD from the University of Minnesota.  Jim taught chemistry at St. Thomas for 5 years and then worked in technical and commercial management for Cargill for 30 years.

Shirley A. Sticha, age 61, of Webster, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Shirley was born on September 25, 1957 in New Prague to William and Bernadine (Kubes) Svoboda. She attended St. Nicholas Parochial School and graduated from New Prague High School. Shirley married the love of her life, Charles A. “Charlie” Sticha on September 19, 1978 at St. Nicholas Church in New Market. The couple made their home in Webster where they raised their three children.

Lawrence Gregory Vavra, 78, originally from Lonsdale MN, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and children on Friday, May 10, 2019 in Kennewick WA.
Lawrence “Larry” was born on May 9, 1941 on the family farm called “The Brown Place,“ located on County Rd. 61 (also called Circle Lake Trail) outside of Lonsdale, near Millersburg.

Clarence J. Malecha, age 87 of Faribault, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 28, 2019.  Preceded in death by his infant son, Andrew J. Malecha and siblings, Elaine Graff and Alvin Malecha. Survived by his best friend and wife of 63 years, Virginia; children, Linda (Paul) Meyer, Sandra (Tom) Saunders, Pauline (Dennis) Malecha, Greg (Renee) Malecha, Karen (Todd) Dalebroux, and Laura (Jay) Storlie; 15 grandchildren; 10 great- grandchildren; sister-in-law, Cathy Malecha and all other loving relatives and friends.

Gertrude Catherine (Bushard) Klaras, 10-06-1931 to 5-24-2019. Born and raised near St. George and graduated from New Ulm Catholic School in 1949. Gertrude married Richard Klaras of St. James, MN in September 27, 1952. Together Dick and Gertie created quite the family. And, as the family grew, they moved from St. James to Victoria, MN and finally settling on an eighty-acre parcel in rural Rice County, west of Webster, MN.

Goldie M. Novak, age 102, died peacefully, May 26, 2019 at Sunrise Senior Living in Edina.  She was born January 8, 1917 in Lanesburgh Township, Le Sueur County, MN to Fred August Jahn and Sophie M. (Ruehling) Jahn.  She grew up in rural New Prague and attended Le Sueur County District School. 

Leonard J. Pexa, age 80, of New Prague died peacefully, with family by his side on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Reflections, Three Links Care Center, Northfield, MN.
Leonard was born October 5, 1938 in Helena Township, Scott County, MN to Wencel “Jim” Pexa and Bessie (Kadrlik) Pexa. He was raised in the St. Patrick area and attended District 47 Elementary School, St. Wenceslaus School, and graduated in 1956 from New Prague High School.