Skip to main content

With the championship portion of its schedule just around the corner, New Prague track athletes are looking to round into top form as the Metro West and Section 1AAA meets near.

The Trojans were at the MetroWest Conference Championships yesterday in Orono. Wednesday, May 20, 4 p.m., NP will host an eight-team invitational. Thursday, May 28, 1:30 p.m., the Trojans will be at the section prelims at Lakeville South. The finals will be held Saturday, May 30, 9 a.m., at Lakeville South. The state meet is Thursday, June 4 and 6, at St. Michael-Albertville High School.

New Prague Area Schools has named Michael Schmidt as the next activities director of New Prague Area Schools, pending school board approval. Schmidt will succeed Brad Skogerboe, who is resigning from his position after 18 years of service to the NPAS.

Larry Tupa passed away peacefully on April 8, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, leaving behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, and stories that will be cherished forever.

William Charles Bergevin, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully on May 6, 2026, at New Perspective Senior Living in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

Lucille M. “Lucy” Palma, age 91, of Faribault, died on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Friendship Manor in Shakopee, Minnesota. Lucille was born to Joseph and Salbina (David) Maxa on July 27, 1934.  She attended Holy Redeemer School and Montgomery-Lonsdale Schools in Montgomery, MN.  Lucille married Clarence Palma on June 16, 1953.  They enjoyed 27 years of marriage before his passing in November 1980.  Together they had 5 children, enjoying farm life outside of Lonsdale before moving into the town of Lonsdale in 1970. 

Along New Prague’s Main Street U.S. Armed Forces veterans, New Prague residents and families were out Tuesday evening, May 5, to honor Marine Corp Lance Cpl. Gavin Burggraff, who died unexpectedly and was being brought home for funeral services at Bruzek Funeral Home, Friday, May 8, and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Saturday, May 9, both in New Prague. The full obituary can be found on The New Prague Times’ social media and in the Thursday, May 7, print edition of The Times. Many people gathered near the New Prague Veterans Memorial, holding U.S.

    A train derailed on the Union Pacific line in far northwestern Tyrone Township, Le Sueur County, on the east side of the Minnesota River between Henderson and Ney Nature Center. A total of eight rail cars left the tracks just north of the Highway 19 bridge over the tracks.
    Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center received a call from Union Pacific Railroad at approximately 2:39 a.m. on May 2 and were notified of the derailment, according to the press release from the sheriff’s office. The report said that the cars were carrying liquid methane, propane, and grain.

Shirley Ann Cervenka (nee Friedges), age 84, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2026. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Noon, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Detroit Lakes, MN.  A second Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. Patrick, MN, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be at the parish cemetery.  Visitation will take place on Sunday, May 10,  2026, at West Kjos Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, MN, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Richard E. Pexa, age 74, of Lonsdale passed away on April 30, 2026, in Watertown, MN, surrounded by family.

He was born March 6, 1952, in New Prague to Frank and Julia (Smisek).

Gavin J. Burggraff, age 20, unexpectedly passed away on April 17, 2026. Born on March 16, 2006, in Faribault, Minnesota, Gavin was a beloved son, brother, and dedicated member of the United States Marine Corps.

A proud infantryman, Gavin achieved the rank of Lance Corporal during his service. His commitment to his country and to protecting the freedoms we cherish was evident in the way he lived and served.

Gregory “Greg” Joseph Wacker, age 75, of Montgomery, died on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Greg was born on February 2, 1951, in Sharon Township, Le Sueur County, during a bitter winter cold snap when temperatures dipped to 28 degrees below zero. He was the son of Clayton and Margaret (Picha) Wacker. Greg attended Le Sueur High School and graduated with the Class of 1969.

    Le Sueur County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) Mark Roemhildt delivered his final department report to the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting on April 21.
    “I am just across six years in this position,” Roemhildt said. “My last day will be Friday, May 1. My last day in the office, however, will be this coming Friday (April 24), and then Joe will have the keys to the castle.”
    Succeeding Roemhildt is Joe Fisher, who was hired to the position on April 6. He had been training for the three weeks before the meeting.

Joseph E. Ziskovsky, age 96, of Veseli, passed away on May 3, 2026.

Joe was born on July 17, 1929, to Joseph A. and Otillia Ziskovsky on the family farm in Wheatland Township (Webster, MN). He grew up on that farm and continued dairy farming there for 56 years.

G. Sue Guinn (née Smith), age 83, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026, in Jordan, Minnesota. Born on August 16, 1942, in Dayton, Ohio, Sue lived a full and vibrant life dedicated to her family, career, and passions.

Jeff Tuma of Ellendale, MN, passed away April 28, 2026. He was born on September 16, 1956, in Northfield, MN, to Francis and Marion Tuma. He grew up in Lonsdale and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1974.

He married JoAnn Bartusek on April 29, 1978. This year, they would have celebrated 48 years of marriage, just one day away. Together they had three children: Derrick, Kristina, and Emily.

New Prague’s indoor softball team enjoyed a solid week, winning two of three games.

The loss to Shakopee-Prior Lake-Chaska-Chanhassen sets up the Trojans for a playoff game as the No. 2 seed in the southwest division. A win qualifies the team for a return to state and a loss ends the Trojans’ season.

Monday, April 27, New Prague suffered a tough 7-6 loss to Shakopee-Prior Lake-Chaska-Chanhassen. New Prague’s come-back rally against the Undefeated Southern Stars came up just short in the seventh inning. Two defensive miscues led to four unearned runs for the Stars.

Subscribe to