Tami M. ”Tootie” Elstad, age 56 of Backus, formerly of New Prague, was called home to the house of our Lord on April 19, 2022, dying suddenly from a heart attack. Tami was always full of life and definitely kept the party going.
 Tami was born on August 14, 1965 to Leo and Marilyn (Pavek) Odenthal at Queen of Peace Hospital in New Prague. Tami is the fourth of five children and is so very much loved by her siblings Bev, Bonnie, Brenda and Terry.

Gladys M. Tupy, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at her home at Praha Village.  She was born on October 25, 1930 at home in Webster Township to William and Mary (Smisek) Novak.  Gladys attended Lonsdale Parochial School and graduated from New Prague High School.  She caught the eye of a dashing young man, Donald F.

Joseph P. Pottner, died peacefully in Minneapolis at the age of 71 on April 3, 2022. Joe is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Lonsdale, Ruth’s loving children Matt (Lisa) Hins of Glencoe, Stephanie (Louie Ballman) Stemmer of New Prague, daughter Barbara, grandsons Logan and Dean Stemmer and Hunter Hins, and sister Pat (Greg) Latsch of Milwaukee. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Josephine Pottner of Nevis, Minnesota.

Valerie M. Hrabe, age 63, of Elko New Market, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.  Val was born on February 11, 1959 in Faribault to Ronald and Dorothy (Malecha) Machacek.  She graduated from Montgomery High School and started working at M.V.E. as a welder.  Unbeknown to Val, there was a young man who also worked at MVE.  They would finally meet when they both attended their milkman’s wedding dance; it was love at first sight for both of them and Val married Dan J. “Herbie” Hrabe on May 14, 1983 in Faribault.

Gregory John Vlasak, 73, of Montgomery passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at his home. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 1 from 4 to 8 at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 11 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery, with Pastor Jason Pollington officiating with visitation one hour prior at the church.
Interment will be held in St. John Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Montgomery Area Veterans Honor Guard. 

Nathan Kartak, age 30, of Montgomery, died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at his home.  Nathan was born on June 10, 1991 to Christopher Kartak and Katherine Sloan at Queen of Peace Hospital in New Prague, MN.  He grew up and attended school in Moose Lake, MN and entered the US Army at age 18 and served a tour in Iraq.  Most recently Nathan worked at Seneca in Montgomery but intended to get back into carpentry, which was his chosen occupation.

Donna Jean Passe, 69, of Cashton, WI passed away at her home, Sunday, February 13, 2022. Donna was born to James and Mary Margaret (Bentz) Miller in Remsen, IA, on June 1, 1953.
After graduating from high school, Donna moved to Minneapolis to become a flight attendant. However, love changed her plans. Donna married Patrick Passe on September 14, 1971. Together they raised four children in Montgomery, then later divorced but remained friends.

Visitation for Kailey Lynn Mach will be Sunday March 6, 2022 from 4 to 8 pm at the Le Center Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 7, 2022, at 11 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Le Center.
A full obituary will follow in the days ahead.
In honor of Kailey and her passion for children, teaching and learning, we are asking in lieu of flowers, that you a bring a children’s book that will be donated and/or monetary donations that will be used in such a way to honor her life and her love for kids for many generations to come.

Thomas F. Simon, age 75 of Lonsdale, passed away Friday, February 11th, 2022 at Reflections of Three Links Care Center in Northfield. Tom was born on November 8th, 1946 in Northfield, Minnesota to Raymond & Ann Skluzacek Simon.

Michael S. Borgmeyer, 71 of Montgomery passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 12 from 9 to 11 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., all at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery. Burial will be held at a later date.
Mike was born on March 3, 1950, to Wilbert and Blanche (Carr) Borgmeyer in Mexico, Missouri. He graduated from Montgomery High School. Mike was united in marriage to Theresa Bastyr on November 1, 1969 in Lonsdale.

Lois Carolyn Holetz, age 90, of Montgomery passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and special caregivers on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Traditions Assisted Living in Montgomery.

Fredrick Albert Roushar, age 68, passed away February 2, 2022. Fred was born in Minneapolis, MN, on July 19, 1953 to Albert & Sylvia Roushar. He grew up in Chanhassen, MN and later moved to Lonsdale, MN where he spent the remainder of his life.

Paul John Vollmar Sr. of Montgomery, Minnesota passed away on February 3, 2022 from congestive heart failure at the age of 88. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with funeral service at 11:00 a.m. all at St. John Lutheran in Montgomery with pastor Jason Pollington officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Montgomery area Veterans Honor Guard. Masks will be available.

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.

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. 

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.