Morken, Odin “Red”,  passed away on July 22, 2020 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague, MN at the age of 83. Red was born March 7th 1937 in Ulen, MN.  His parents Odd and Katherine Morken raised their family on the farm in Ulen before moving to Frazee, MN in the early 1950’s.  He attended Frazee High School and graduated in 1955.  While in high school Red joined the Army Reserves and served 8 years in addition to serving in the Army where he trained to be an electrician from 1956-1958.

Montgomery's newest ambassadors were crowned on Friday, July 24 in the TCU Performing Arts Center. Crowned Kolacky Queen was Rachel Rynda, daughter of Francis and Theresa Rynda. First Princess is Marissa Gare, daughter of Joshua and Linda Gare. Second Princess is Nikaija Young, daughter of Kurt and Christine Young. The candidates chose Rachel Way as their Miss Congeniality.
See more in the print edition.

Montgomery history is on display again as the new 40-foot mural capturing various elements of the Kolacky Capital was unveiled on Thursday.
The mural that depicts a Main Street scene of Montgomery in the 1900s was painted by Victor Garcia. He was assisted by several local artists to complete the project.
It is located on Ash Avenue near First Street, on the same building that housed the previous mural which depicted only one side of the street.
Read more in the print edition.

With less than 10 days to play, Prior Lake is in front of the DRS Amateur Baseball League standings as of July 19.
Prior Lake is currently 6-2 after winning two of three games last week. St. Patrick has only played three league games and have yet to lose. Union Hill sits in third place with a 3-1 record.
Wednesday, July 15

The Le Sueur County Board recently approved a pair of independent contractors to a number of projects.
But the decision to approve these individuals came with questions about their rate of pay, which will come from the CARES Act dollars which was recently approved by the federal government.
Barbara Droher Kline was approved to work with townships, cities, and Le Sueur County on COVID related planning. Her rate of pay is $75/hour.

Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life for Sally Kline Roberts, will be held Sunday, Aug. 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Rustic Farmer, 209 First Street South in Montgomery.
Sally was born January 1, 1941, the daughter of Arnold and Sylvia Kline. She passed away May 28, 2020.
Please join Sally’s family and friends as we remember her smile, her laughter, and wonderful memories.
Sally grew up in Montgomery and loved her life in Ormond Beach, Fl.

Joseph Leonard Trnka, 84, of Faribault, MN died peacefully on July 21, 2020.

Orville “Orv” William Sawatzky, 88, of Montgomery, passed away at Mala Strana in New Prague on Friday, July 17, 2020.
Private family funeral services will be held.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.
Orv was born on September 26, 1931, in Faribault to Ernest and Bertha (Behm) Sawatzky. He attended Montgomery Public School. Orv served in the United States Army from 1950-1952 in Korean War.

Verna Marie Ziegenhagen, 103, of Kilkenny, died Thursday, July 16, 2020, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Le Center with Pastor Ally Bowman officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague has reported there are 14 residents and four staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 The residents are quarantined on campus and the employees are currently quarantined at home. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

There is a log jam at the top of the DRS Amateur Baseball Standings after the second full week of play.
Seven teams have one loss, led by Prior Lake with a 4-1 record and Lonsdale with a 3-1 record.
St. Patrick, Faribault, and Montgomery have 2-1 records. Union Hill and St. Benedict are 1-1 overall.
The week began with three games Wednesday, July 8.
Faribault shut out winless Shakopee, 6-0.
St. Benedict defeated Montgomery 8-1. Nick Holland and Matthias Duevel combined to allow only a first inning Mallard run.

There’s still time to enter the 86th Annual Kolacky Days’ coloring contest!
Visit www.MontgomeryMN.org/coloring-contest or stop at Franke’s Bakery to pick up a coloring form.
Completed entries forms need to be returned to Franke’s Bakery or an image of the entry emailed to KolackyDays@gmail.com by noon Tuesday, July 21. Make sure to include your name and age.
Members of this year’s Kolacky Days’ royalty will judge the entries.

Puzzle lovers, rejoice!
This year’s virtual Kolacky Days will include a Jigsaw Puzzle Competition featuring a limited-edition, 513-piece Kolacky Days Button Collection Puzzle.
Everyone is invited to participate in this social-distancing friendly competition.
The 16” x 20” puzzle is available for purchase at Herrmann Thrifty White Pharmacy and Franke’s Bakery in Montgomery. It can also be purchased online at www.montgomerymn.org/store.

On Wednesday, July 8, the management of Frandsen Bank & Trust closed the Lonsdale location after learning someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19 had been on the premises.
The bank was closed until Monday after which only the drive-thru reopened. According to Dan Hardel, the president for Montgomery and Lonsdale branches, the lobby will remain closed until further notice.
On its Facebook page, the bank said it closed the office so a thorough cleaning and disinfecting could be completed.

James Walter Krenik, 62, Lonsdale, died on Friday, July 10, 2020, at his home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 15 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Fr. Tom Niehaus and Fr. Tom Krenik officiating. Interment will be in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in New Prague.
  James was born on February 1, 1958, in New Prague to Donald and Pauline (Busch) Krenik. He was a graduate of Montgomery High School and worked as a heavy equipment operator and turned to farming.

The 86th annual Kolacky Days may be “virtual” this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Montgomery Area Community Club (MACC) is making sure a well-deserving couple is named as its Grand Marshals.
Arnold “Buck” and Gladys Zahratka were chosen by the MACC as this year’s Grand Marshals because they have played a significant role in the development and success of the Montgomery area. 
Buck, who will be 95 years young in August, and Gladys, 88, have a long history of working and volunteering in Montgomery.
They owned local businesses.