Jerry K. Most, age 81, of New Prague, died suddenly of a massive heart attack on Friday, June 14, 2019 at his home at Praha Village. Jerry was born on April 20, 1938, in Ellsworth, Wisconsin to Stanley and Marguerite (Melgaard) Most. He was raised by his maternal grandparents in Ellsworth, graduated from Ellsworth High School, and entered the US Navy, having come from a proud military family. Jerry married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Mary Lou Rosenberg, on July 7, 1956 in Ellsworth.

Keith R. Pieper, age 72 of Henderson, died Sunday, June 16, 2019 at the Ridgeview Nursing and Rehab Center in Le Sueur. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 22 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Henderson. Fr. Sam Perez will officiate the Mass. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, June 21 and one hour prior to Mass on Saturday, all at the church in Henderson. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Henderson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Russell Harry Dietz, 72, of Montgomery, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital in Mankato. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery with a funeral service following. Interment will be at a later date.
Russell was born on September 30, 1946, to Harry and Leota (Busta) Dietz. He graduated from Montgomery High School. He was in the US Army Reserves and Montgomery Police Reserves.

Phyllis (Olund) Johnson, 98, of New Prague died June 11, 2019 at the Mala Strana Residence in New Prague.
She is survived by her son Reid (Cynthia) and grandchildren Brianna (Eric) Fischer, Aaron (Mary-Elizabeth) Johnson, and Lizzy (Alex) Larson, and three great-grandchildren, Maribelle Fischer, Zella Fischer and Winter Larson.

LaVerne N. Coghill, of Jordan (formerly of New Prague) passed away June 6, 2019 at the age of 90.  Mass of Christian Burial is Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (313 East Second Street) in Jordan.  LaVerne will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.

Donna M. Bisek, age 55, of New Prague, died peacefully on Thursday, June 6, 2019, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Donna was born on February 26, 1964 in Shakopee to Sylvester and Verena (Seurer) Wacker.  She was raised in Savage and graduated from Burnsville High School.  She received an Associate Degree from Normandale Community College in special education. Donna married the love of her life, Frank J. Bisek , on September 2, 1988  at St. John’s Catholic Church in Savage.  The couple made their home in New Prague, where they raised their four children.

Walter W. Kohoutek, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at his home.  Walter was born on December 27, 1927 in New Prague to Frank and Anna (Shimota) Kohoutek.  He attended  St. Wenceslaus School and New Prague High School and then entered the US Navy  where he was a Seabee on the USS JP Kennedy, serving in WWII.  Walter married the love of his life, Georgean Pauly on June 29, 1949 at St.

Judith Mae Williams (Eddans) died peacefully on May 29th, at Belgrade Nursing Home in Belgrade, MN. She was born in Minneapolis, MN on October 4, 1944 to Charles and Jean Eddans. She was raised on the shores of Lake Minnewashta in Excelsior, MN. Judy married Carl Williams on October 7, 1967. Together they made their home in Webster, MN, where they raised their two children. Judy worked at Sears as a secretary, where she met Carl. She also filled various roles at New Prague Schools including paraprofessional, secretary, librarian, and finally worked in the copy shop.

Joshua David Bastyr passed away unexpectedly on Thursday May 30th, 2019 in his hometown of New Prague, MN. He lived his life as a loving father, son, brother, partner and friend.
He is survived by his son Hunter Bastyr, parents Pamela Hallum and David Bastyr (Mariah), brother Derek (fiancé Diane Vo), stepbrother Taylor Flicek, grandfather Jerry Hallum, grandmother Evelyn Bastyr, and partner Shawn Novotny.
You will be forever loved, missed and remembered.

Elroy Milton Picha, 90, of Montgomery, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System New Prague Hospital. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m. with Father Victor Valencia officiating. Burial will be at Trebon Cemetery.

James C. Mickus, age 85, of Savage died peacefully on May 29, 2019 at The Pillars Hospice Home in Oakdale.  Jim was born on December 7, 1933 in New Prague to Clement and Luverne (Nolden) Mickus.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School, graduated from New Prague High School, attained his undergraduate degree from St. Thomas University, and his Masters and PhD from the University of Minnesota.  Jim taught chemistry at St. Thomas for 5 years and then worked in technical and commercial management for Cargill for 30 years.

Shirley A. Sticha, age 61, of Webster, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Shirley was born on September 25, 1957 in New Prague to William and Bernadine (Kubes) Svoboda. She attended St. Nicholas Parochial School and graduated from New Prague High School. Shirley married the love of her life, Charles A. “Charlie” Sticha on September 19, 1978 at St. Nicholas Church in New Market. The couple made their home in Webster where they raised their three children.

Lawrence Gregory Vavra, 78, originally from Lonsdale MN, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and children on Friday, May 10, 2019 in Kennewick WA.
Lawrence “Larry” was born on May 9, 1941 on the family farm called “The Brown Place,“ located on County Rd. 61 (also called Circle Lake Trail) outside of Lonsdale, near Millersburg.

Clarence J. Malecha, age 87 of Faribault, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 28, 2019.  Preceded in death by his infant son, Andrew J. Malecha and siblings, Elaine Graff and Alvin Malecha. Survived by his best friend and wife of 63 years, Virginia; children, Linda (Paul) Meyer, Sandra (Tom) Saunders, Pauline (Dennis) Malecha, Greg (Renee) Malecha, Karen (Todd) Dalebroux, and Laura (Jay) Storlie; 15 grandchildren; 10 great- grandchildren; sister-in-law, Cathy Malecha and all other loving relatives and friends.

Gertrude Catherine (Bushard) Klaras, 10-06-1931 to 5-24-2019. Born and raised near St. George and graduated from New Ulm Catholic School in 1949. Gertrude married Richard Klaras of St. James, MN in September 27, 1952. Together Dick and Gertie created quite the family. And, as the family grew, they moved from St. James to Victoria, MN and finally settling on an eighty-acre parcel in rural Rice County, west of Webster, MN. Richard and Gertrude had 10 children together; Jeff, Cathy, Lynn, Mike (Mary), Tom, Agnes, Bill (Shelley), Tony, Steve (Jenny), Barb (Jim) Kivisto.

Goldie M. Novak, age 102, died peacefully, May 26, 2019 at Sunrise Senior Living in Edina.  She was born January 8, 1917 in Lanesburgh Township, Le Sueur County, MN to Fred August Jahn and Sophie M. (Ruehling) Jahn.  She grew up in rural New Prague and attended Le Sueur County District School.