Robert “Bob” Henry Koenig, age 84, of Belle Plaine, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Mala Strana in New Prague. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Fr. Michael Kaluza will preside, concelebrating with Fr. Eugene Theisen. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday morning.

Duane Deutsch, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, farmer, and friend, passed away March 24, 2025.
A time of gathering will be held for Duane on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (104 First Street West) in Jordan. An additional gathering will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Ridges on Sand Creek Golf Course (21775 Ridges Drive) in Jordan, from 10:00-10:50 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be provided by the Jordan Vets Honor Guard.

Noreen A. Hruby passed away quietly on March 4, 2025, at her home in Mankato.
Noreen was born in New Prague, MN, on January 30, 1949, to Leonard and Bernice Hruby (Kajer) and lived most of her life in Mankato. She was the oldest of seven and leaves behind siblings, Richard (Mary Jo), Margaret (Gary), Barbara (Gary), Anita (Keith), and Stevie and many nieces and nephews. Her parents and brother, Mark preceded her in death.

Merlin James Plonsky left this world peacefully on March 19, 2025, at the age of 79, surrounded by his family at Central Health Care in Le Center. Merlin was born on April 24, 1945, to Peter and Cecelia (Konopik) Plonsky. He grew up in Montgomery and graduated in 1963 from Montgomery High School.
 He was united in marriage to Carmen Dalsted, on May 8, 1965. He started his career as a professional painter alongside his father-in-law and later went on his own as Plonsky Painting.

Robert “Bob” Ernest Sapp of Le Center passed away March 12, 2025, at St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

Karen Ann Hinderscheit, age 61, of New Prague, died unexpectedly with her family at her side on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague ER.  Karen was born on June 10, 1963, in New Prague, to Leonard and Rosemary (Tupy) Franek.  She had humble beginnings being raised on a farm with her Mom, Dad, and two sisters, Donna and Debbie.  Those lessons of humility were threaded throughout her life.  She graduated from New Prague High School and went on to graduate from Ritter’s Beauty College in Faribault.    A hardworking and dedicated employee, she always went abo

With victories over teams the New Prague-TCU-Belle Plaine-Le Sueur Henderson-Jordan co-op floor hockey team faced during the regular season, the Trojans' returned from Coon Rapids High School Saturday evening as undefeated state champions.
After defeating South Suburban, 11-4, Friday evening, Feb. 7, and South Washington County Saturday afternoon, Feb. 8, the Trojans capped off the day winning the championship over Stillwater Area, 11-8. The semifinal win over South Washington County marked the only time all season the Trojans trailed in any of the 11 games they played.

New Prague senior Toby Bleess, 11, works to get around two Rochester John Marshall defenders during the first game of the Class AAAA, Section 1 quarterfinals. The Trojans, No. 8 seed, fought through the Thursday, March 6, away game, but saw their season end against No. 1 seeded Rochester John Marshall, 71-34. For more on the game see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

Irene D. Kubes, age 93, of Lakeville, passed away on February 23, 2025.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Kubes; son, Allen Kubes; her parents, Edward and Anna Sevcik; her brother Arnie Sevcik, and many in-laws.
Irene is survived by sons, Ronald (Pamela), Mark and Kevin; grandchildren, Bryan Kubes (Laura), Scott Kubes, Scarlet Mockwitz-Kubes and Preston Mockwitz-Kubes; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Shirley Teske; many other relatives and friends.

After four meetings, members of the New Prague School District’s long-range facilities task force are expected to lay out their preferences for a recommendation to the school board when they gather for the final of their scheduled meetings tonight, March 6, 6 p.m.

New Prague Area Schools (PreK-12) will be closed Wednesday, March 5, due to inclement weather. This will be a blended learning day.
WRAP & Kids' Company will be closed.
ECFE classes will not be held today. Community Education youth and adult class participants will receive an email regarding the status of their class.
Decisions about after-school practices and/or events will be made by noon. Please wait to hear from your coach/director.

Beloved wife and mother, Janet “Jan” Horsley, age 40, of New Prague, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at home. Jan was born November 13, 1984, to Paul and Cheryl (Westholder) Hartman in Shakopee, where she grew up and attended Shakopee High School. She met Kris Horsley on Christian Mingle in November of 2012. Despite many technological snafus, both of them knew within a week of connecting that they were meant to be together. Kris told his mom the day after Thanksgiving as she was leaving to return to Montana that he was going to “marry this woman”. She knew the same!

Harold Holec, age 61, of Plymouth, MN, died Feb 16, 2025, at Sunrise Senior Living in Minnetonka after a long, brave battle.
Harold was born Nov 6, 1963, in New Prague, MN, to Henry E. Holec and Lucille D. Cornetet. 
He graduated from New Prague High School in 1982 and soon after, joined the Navy.  After discharge, Harold moved to the Washington DC area.

Betty Jane (Hoefs) Bauer
April 8, 1940 - November 21, 2024

Janet K. Walker, age 82, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Janet was born on October 30, 1942, in Winnebago, MN, to Earl Pierce and Florence Nowak Pierce.  She grew up in Winnebago and was a 1960 graduate of Winnebago High School.  She met a young man on a blind date and it went so well that he showed up on her doorstep the very next day and they both knew it was a "match made in heaven".  She and Francis L. Walker were married on November 17, 1962, at St.

New Prague senior, Lawson Eller at 121 pounds in Class AAA won 22-2 in his first round against Paxton Carl. Eller advances to the quarterfinals.
New Prague sophomore, Owen Johnson at 189 pounds also advanced to the quarter finals as he defeated Luke DeChene, 13-3.