Joyce Jeanette Pease Bender, age 88, passed away at Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Care Center in New Prague, MN on October 27, 2019, surrounded by her family. She struggled with dementia for over 14 years. Joyce was born in Madison, WI on August 25, 1931 to Lora Ray Pease and Louise Ellen (Bolhalter). Growing up in Monticello, WI, Joyce developed her lifelong love of music. She sang her first solo at church on Christmas Eve when she was five. Soon after, she began playing the piano and saxophone.  In 1948 Joyce graduated at age 16 from Monticello High School as Valedictorian of her class.

Lucille R. Nelson, age 96, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Lucille was born on September 13, 1923 in St. Thomas, MN to Frank and Gertrude A. (Benzick) Ginter.  She was raised in the St. Thomas/Lexington area, attended country school for a short time, then St. Wenceslaus Catholic School, and graduated with the class of 1941 from New Prague High School.  Lucille married Clyde C. Nelson on May 18, 1946 at St.

Bernice A. Maxa, age 89, of Shakopee, formerly of New Prague, died peacefully on Friday, October 25, 2019 at St. Francis Regional Hospital in Shakopee.  Bernice was born on June 30, 1930 in Kilkenny, MN to Peter and Anna (Frodl) Healey.  She attended Montgomery High School and married George J.

Ray Moran, age 98, died peacefully with his son at his side, on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center.  Ray was born on November 1, 1920 in New Prague to Amab F.

Mark “Cid” Choudek, 63, of Montgomery, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, at his home. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Holy Redeemer School or Montgomery Community Foundation.

Kathy A. Kahler, age 47 of Lonsdale, formerly of Apple Valley was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident on October 20, 2019.

Rita M. Jelinek, age 87, died peacefully on Monday, October 21, 2019 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Care Center.  Rita was born on August 26, 1932 in Montgomery, MN to Adolph T. and Mary (Bednar) Kucera.  She graduated from Montgomery High School and married Richard F.

Shea, Daniel G. age 79, formerly of Apple Valley, passed away Oct 4, 2019 in Clearwater, FL.
He graduated from New Prague High School with the class of 1959. He is survived by daughters Maureen (Todd) Wade and Kelley Brunton; 5 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11/2 at 11:00 am with visitation 1 hour prior at the Knights of Columbus Event Center, 1764 4th Ave E, Shakopee, MN.

Patricia A. Mahowald, age 88, of New Prague, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at The Villages of Lonsdale. 

Ev Nelson, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at the age of 84. Mass of Christian Burial is Monday, October 21, 2019 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Father Miller & Father Sebastian will co-celebrate. Ev will be laid to rest at St. Patrick Cemetery, and his grandson, Brian Mack, will act as urn bearer.

Ronald S. Bergstrom (‘Bubs’) of Northfield formerly of Elko, MN, age 93, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2019 at Three Links Care Center, Northfield, MN. Preceded in death by parents Joseph and Florence Bergstrom of Elko, MN; sister Doris (Raymond) Cousins of Worthington, MN; brothers Loren (Vi) Bergstrom of Chaska; Duane Bergstrom of New Market/Morristown, MN. Survived by sister Marcella ‘Marcy’ (Gordon) Tripp of Santa Clarita, CA; Sister-in-law Bernice ‘Sis’ (the late Duane) of New Market/Morristown, MN. Loved by 13 nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Herbert “Frank” Thomas, 90, of Montgomery, died on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. with a rosary at 10 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.
Interment will be in St. Scholastica Catholic Cemetery in Heidelberg.

Robert J. Hanek, 79, of Faribault, passed away on October 12, 2019 at Three Links Care Center in Northfield after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Bob was born on June 5, 1940 to Augusta S. and John A. Hanek in rural Le Sueur County. He graduated from high school in Montgomery, MN and then spent six years serving in the U.S. Army. He married Carol A. Sensibaugh on October 26, 1963 and they made their home and raised their family in Faribault. Bob was employed for over 40 years at McQuay’s in Faribault until his retirement.

Ludmilla R. Bruzek, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center.

Leon D. Nelson, age 69, died suddenly at his home on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Leon was born on November 9, 1949 in Minneapolis, MN to Ralph W. and Pauline A. (Bollenger) Nelson.  He was raised in Minneapolis and graduated from a Vocational Technical High School in 1969.  Shortly after graduation, Leon married the love of his life, Bonnie J. Melcher on October 18, 1969 in St.

Brogan Michael Schaefer, age 10 of rural Henderson, passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019 at Mayo Health Systems in Mankato.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 7 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Le Sueur.  Visitation will be from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the church on Sunday, October 6, and also 1 hour prior to Mass at church on Monday.