Francis J. “Fritz” Tupy, age 77, of New Prague, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Fritz was born on December 3, 1942 at the family home in Webster Township, Rice County to Frank W. and Mary C. (Schoenbauer) Tupy.  Fritz graduated from New Prague High School and entered the US Army National Guard.  He married the love of his life, Karen A. Sticha at St.

No one was injured in an early morning fire in Montgomery that damaged two buildings on Wednesday, July 29.
The Montgomery Fire Department was called to a fire at 104 First Street at 3:45 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they observed flames engulfing the second floor of a vacant building.
City Administrator Brian Heck said the fire was under control in about 5½ hours. Montgomery firefighters continue to remain on the scene.

John Arnold Schleis, 76, of Montgomery, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2020. Private family services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to donor’s choice or Wee3Beasties: Saving the Strays.
John was born on August 15, 1943, in New Prague to Arnold and Emily (David) Schleis. John attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School and Montgomery High School. John was united in marriage to Mary Jo Pitmon on October 26, 1963, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.

Due to the heavy rains on July 25th and 26th, the following lakes have now reached water levels that have ascended past the threshold concerning a "No Wake". The three lakes listed below have a "No Wake" restriction effective immediately:
Lake Tetonka, Lake Sakatah, Lake Washington
See PDF of complete press release regarding the "No Wake" restrictions.

Morken, Odin “Red”,  passed away on July 22, 2020 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague, MN at the age of 83. Red was born March 7th 1937 in Ulen, MN.  His parents Odd and Katherine Morken raised their family on the farm in Ulen before moving to Frazee, MN in the early 1950’s.  He attended Frazee High School and graduated in 1955.  While in high school Red joined the Army Reserves and served 8 years in addition to serving in the Army where he trained to be an electrician from 1956-1958.

Montgomery's newest ambassadors were crowned on Friday, July 24 in the TCU Performing Arts Center. Crowned Kolacky Queen was Rachel Rynda, daughter of Francis and Theresa Rynda. First Princess is Marissa Gare, daughter of Joshua and Linda Gare. Second Princess is Nikaija Young, daughter of Kurt and Christine Young. The candidates chose Rachel Way as their Miss Congeniality.
See more in the print edition.

Montgomery history is on display again as the new 40-foot mural capturing various elements of the Kolacky Capital was unveiled on Thursday.
The mural that depicts a Main Street scene of Montgomery in the 1900s was painted by Victor Garcia. He was assisted by several local artists to complete the project.
It is located on Ash Avenue near First Street, on the same building that housed the previous mural which depicted only one side of the street.
Read more in the print edition.

The Le Sueur County Board recently approved a pair of independent contractors to a number of projects.
But the decision to approve these individuals came with questions about their rate of pay, which will come from the CARES Act dollars which was recently approved by the federal government.
Barbara Droher Kline was approved to work with townships, cities, and Le Sueur County on COVID related planning. Her rate of pay is $75/hour.

With less than 10 days to play, Prior Lake is in front of the DRS Amateur Baseball League standings as of July 19.
Prior Lake is currently 6-2 after winning two of three games last week. St. Patrick has only played three league games and have yet to lose. Union Hill sits in third place with a 3-1 record.
Wednesday, July 15

Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life for Sally Kline Roberts, will be held Sunday, Aug. 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Rustic Farmer, 209 First Street South in Montgomery.
Sally was born January 1, 1941, the daughter of Arnold and Sylvia Kline. She passed away May 28, 2020.
Please join Sally’s family and friends as we remember her smile, her laughter, and wonderful memories.
Sally grew up in Montgomery and loved her life in Ormond Beach, Fl.

Joseph Leonard Trnka, 84, of Faribault, MN died peacefully on July 21, 2020.

Orville “Orv” William Sawatzky, 88, of Montgomery, passed away at Mala Strana in New Prague on Friday, July 17, 2020.
Private family funeral services will be held.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.
Orv was born on September 26, 1931, in Faribault to Ernest and Bertha (Behm) Sawatzky. He attended Montgomery Public School. Orv served in the United States Army from 1950-1952 in Korean War.

Verna Marie Ziegenhagen, 103, of Kilkenny, died Thursday, July 16, 2020, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Le Center with Pastor Ally Bowman officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague has reported there are 14 residents and four staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 The residents are quarantined on campus and the employees are currently quarantined at home. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

There’s still time to enter the 86th Annual Kolacky Days’ coloring contest!
Visit www.MontgomeryMN.org/coloring-contest or stop at Franke’s Bakery to pick up a coloring form.
Completed entries forms need to be returned to Franke’s Bakery or an image of the entry emailed to KolackyDays@gmail.com by noon Tuesday, July 21. Make sure to include your name and age.
Members of this year’s Kolacky Days’ royalty will judge the entries.

There is a log jam at the top of the DRS Amateur Baseball Standings after the second full week of play.
Seven teams have one loss, led by Prior Lake with a 4-1 record and Lonsdale with a 3-1 record.
St. Patrick, Faribault, and Montgomery have 2-1 records. Union Hill and St. Benedict are 1-1 overall.
The week began with three games Wednesday, July 8.
Faribault shut out winless Shakopee, 6-0.
St. Benedict defeated Montgomery 8-1. Nick Holland and Matthias Duevel combined to allow only a first inning Mallard run.