The Wells Fargo bank in New Prague is temporarily closed due to COVID related staffing constraints according to Staci Schiller spokesperson for Wells Fargo. The closure affects both the lobby and the drive up for the bank along Main Street. Schiller explained the ATM is still available for use and people can use online banking or a mobile app. If people need to they can also find branches in Prior Lake, Shakopee, Lakeville and Savage. Staff at the New Prague branch of the bank potentially hope to have the business open by next week.

Mary Speiker, age 85 of Shakopee, entered eternal life on Friday, January 28, 2022. 
A visitation will be held Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 4-7 PM and Friday, February 4, 2022 from 9:30-10:30 AM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 833 S. Marschall Rd., Shakopee. Mass of Christian Burial following 11 AM at the Church of St. Mary (The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne), 535 Lewis St. S., Shakopee. Per the family’s request, masks are required. 
Mary will be laid to rest at Shakopee Catholic Cemetery with Father Michael Becker presiding. 

Robert Gordon Loftus joined God on Tuesday, January 25th, 2022, after 91 years of loving service in this world. Bob wore a plethora of titles and hats (literally and figuratively) throughout his life.
Partner. Patriarch. Parent. Priest. Published poet. Playing cards. Pitcher. Pugilist. Pub patron. Pet-owner. Pretzel eater. Public speaker. Passionate person.

Milton R. Dvorak, age 82, of Prior Lake, formerly of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side, on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital Mankato.  Milton was born on August 28, 1939 in New Prague to Anton J. and Lydia M.

The next step toward the 2022 election will take place Tuesday, Feb. 1 at its most grassroots level.
It's caucus time.
Le Sueur and Rice County Republicans and DFLers will meet in separate locations to gear up for the election by passing resolutions, electing delegates to send to the local and state conventions and – most likely – talking about the 2022 race for the governor's office. The delegates sent to those conventions will then endorse candidates for State and National offices.

As the Mayor of the City of New Prague, Duane J. "Dewey" Jirik received a copy of “Minnesota’s ‘Big Woods’ Musicians” authored by Sr. Anita Smisek, OP, with narrative assistance from John Chromy.
That’s when he saw his family on the pages and wanted his sons to have their copies.

The TCU Titans took second in the Minnesota River Conference Tournament in Le Sueur last Friday.
To land in second, the Titans earned convincing victories over Norwood-Young America 57-15, and Le Sueur-Henderson 41-30.
Silbey East beat Le Sueur-Henderson 52-27, Norwood-Young America 70-6, and narrowly TCU 38-35 to win the tournament.
Chris Johnson, Brant Lemieux, Carter O`Malley, Caleb Whipps and Caden O'Malley earned All-Conference honors by going 3-0 in the tournament.

I’ll admit it. I struggled to find something to write about in this week’s column space.
This wouldn’t be problem if I had a life.
For this soon-to-be 58-year-old, living in the winter has become very routine.
The simplified weekly schedule goes something like this: work Monday through Friday. Grocery shop and clean the house Saturday. Prepare for the week and see family on Sunday. For fun, sometimes we switch up Saturday and Sunday’s routines.

Joseph “Joe” William Kriha, 86, husband, father, grandfather, brother, patriot and outdoorsman, passed away on Wednesday, January 5 after living with Alzheimers and heart disease. COVID-19 was the final challenge in his last days.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 18 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings. Visitation will be held prior to Mass starting at 9:30 a.m. A private interment will be held at Fort Snelling.

Betty Jane Rogers, age 72, of New Prague, passed away suddenly, surrounded by her family, on January 18, 2022.    Betty was born on January 24, 1949 in Redwood Falls to Benjamin & Beatrice (Stoll) Steinhouse.  She grew up in Redwood Falls and attended Redwood Falls Public Schools.  She married Richard “Rick” Rogers on December 12, 1970 in Bloomington.  She helped in the family business, United Steel Products, for a few years before becoming her best self as a wonderful homemaker and mother.  Betty enjoyed hosting parties and being on the lake.  Numerous camping trips added to her love o

Patrick R. Cemensky, 77, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at Grand Village.
Patrick was born in 1944 to Anthony and Emily Cemensky in Lexington Township where he grew up and attended school.
Pat and Sharon Kaderlik were united in marriage on May 13, 1967, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery. They moved to Grand Rapids in 1978, and Pat worked in road construction and trucking until his retirement.
Pat enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He often joked that he never met a pine board he didn’t like.

Richard A. Miller (Dick), 85.
Dick Miller, beloved husband, father, grandpa, and brother passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022, at the age of 85.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sue; his daughters, Molly and Sally (Dan); his sons Tom (Tricia) and Doug (Dawn); his five grandchildren, Brent and Emmalee, Reese and Harper, and Zack; his brothers and sisters-in-law Gordon Balfe, Nan and Wayne Dvorak, and Jim and Diane Pexa; and his many nieces and nephews. 
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, LaVonne and Earl Miller; and his sister Jacquie Balfe. 

Gladys Mae Zahratka, 89, of Montgomery passed away on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Traditions of Montgomery. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with Memorial Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 12 p.m. all held at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father Tom Niehaus officiating.
Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred and the family will send them to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Robert W. Johnson, age 78, of Lonsdale, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, January 7, 2022.  Bob was born on September 22, 1943 in Litchfield, MN to Algot W. and Olga A. (Strom) Johnson.  He grew up in Dassel, graduating from Dassel High School and went on to attend the University of Minnesota St.

Germaine Marie Perry was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and card player. She left this world on January 2, 2022, at the age of 94.

Margie Jindra, 97, of Montgomery passed away on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Central Health Care in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 9 from noon until 2 p.m. with Funeral Service following at 2 p.m. with Pastor Jason Pollington, officiating, all at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery.
Interment will be at a later date in Bohemian National Cemetery in Montgomery.