Francis J. Nickolay, age 98, of New Prague, died peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Francis was born at home in New Prague on August 10, 1926, to John F. and Bessie (Bazil) Nickolay.  He attended eight years at St. Wenceslaus Parochial School and graduated from New Prague High School, though his education was interrupted for two years when he enlisted in the US Navy, serving during WWII, traveling through Pearl Harbor four months after the bombing by Japan.  After returning home, he met Lorraine L.

Ronald M. Ruhland, age 87, of Bloomington, formerly of the Union Hill area, died on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at his home in Bloomington.  Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Union Hill, MN.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at church.  Burial to follow in church cemetery with veterans honors.  Lunch will be at the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague after the burial.  

Kathy (Toner) McBroom, age 79, of New Prague, died peacefully from glioblastoma at Our Lady of Peace Hospice House in St. Paul on Nov. 26th. She was preceded in death by her parents, William & Kathryn Toner, and siblings, Mary (infant), Jim, Bern, Pat, and Julie. 

With only three proven starters back from a year ago, New Prague High School’s girls’ hoops team faced a question when it started the season last week against Northfield. How would this year’s team come out of the gate compared to the previous year’s squad?

Adeline “Addie” Martha Bradford passed away peacefully on November 25, 2024, surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. There will be a visitation at 10:00 a.m., and a luncheon will follow at Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Burial at Baxter City Cemetery will follow lunch.

Just when you’re starting to fret not having a reasonable idea for a column for this week’s paper, along come the good folks from Oklahoma willing to try to skirt the U.S. Constitution for their religious beliefs.

Christopher Lee Shimota, age 42, died unexpectedly on November 8, 2024. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him. Chris was born on January 7, 1982, in Northfield, to Allen and Joyce (Odette) Shimota. He was raised in rural Prior Lake and graduated from Jordan High School in 2000. He worked on the family farm, where he learned skills, including sandblasting and heavy equipment painting, which became his occupation along with welding.

Brian Zaun, age 60, of Shakopee, Minnesota, entered eternal life on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Shakopee.

Brian was born in Shakopee on November 4, 1964, the son of Alfred and Ann (Sirek) Zaun. He was very happy at his home in Eden Prairie, MN, at Lotus View, and made many friends there. In his younger years, Brian worked at the Chaps Thrift Store in Burnsville, MN, and then worked as a custodian at St. Patrick's Tavern in rural New Prague, MN.

Larry Paul Lehman, age 68, of Le Sueur, died suddenly on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Ridgeview Medical Center in Le Sueur. Memorial services will be on Monday, December 2, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Le Sueur. Visitation will be at the church that morning, one hour prior. Burial will be at a later time at the Tyrone-Salem Cemetery. Lunch will follow immediately after the service. 

Lawrence J. Schoenbauer, age 94, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at his home, on Friday, November 22, 2024.  Lawrence was born on September 9, 1930, on the family farm in Helena Township, Scott County, MN, to Joseph B. and Rose L. (Tuma) Schoenbauer.  He met the woman that he would spend his life with at the country school they attended.  He and Mae Ann Kubes were married on September 24, 1955, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.  

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, along with the Mounted Posse and The Sheriff’s Youth Project, have once again come together to launch the project, “Believe in the Magic of Christmas.”

The project “will provide an opportunity for our community to come together and spread a little Christmas Magic for a very deserving family.”

Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, at approximately 10:21 p.m., the Scott County 911 Dispatch Center received a report of an armed robbery at the Red Fox Tavern, located on the 22815 block of Pillsbury Ave. in New Market Township.

The suspect entered the establishment, demanded cash, and left the scene on foot after obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, according to the Scott County Sheriff's Office. Two employees were present during the incident and no injuries were reported.

Rosella "Rosie" (Novotny) Skluzacek, 87, of Northfield, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, November 16, 2024, at Northfield Retirement Community.
She is survived by her two daughters: Mercedes (Robert) Maier of Northfield and Merceday (Bruce) Kaardal of Redwood Falls; five grandchildren, Erin, Kirsten, Alison, Mark, and Joel; four great-grandchildren; other family members; and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.