Neil R. Bohnsack, age 73, of New Prague, died suddenly on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at Three Links Care Center in Northfield.  Neil was born on March 16, 1947 in New Prague to Reuben W. and Selma R. (Jahn) Bohnsack.  He graduated from New Prague High School and Dunwoody Vo-Tech Institute in electrical science.  He served four years in the US Air Force as an electrician and was stationed in Panama during the Vietnam War.  He married the love of his life, Susan J.

Governor Tim Walz has directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15, 2020, in honor of peace officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty.
 “On May 15 we honor the Peace Officers who gave their lives to protect ours, and thank the 11,000 Law Enforcement Officers who serve our state for their dedication to protecting Minnesota communities,” said Governor Walz.

Two planes make their way over Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague around 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13. Aircraft from the 148th Fighter Wing, 133rd Airlift Wing and 934th Airlift Wing were flying over locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan to honor frontline workers in the COVID-19 response. While staff from Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague gathered on the roof, more than 70 area residents were in the parking lot and the general vicinity to watch the fly over greeting the two planes with cheers and applause.

Gladys E. Dols, 88, of Montgomery, passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2020, at Mala Strana Health Care in New Prague. Private family services will be held.
Gladys was born on September 10, 1931, in Montgomery to Frank and Rose (Fierst) Taraba. She was a 1949 graduate of Montgomery High School and also from teaching school in Le Center in 1950.
Gladys taught eight years in Rice and Le Sueur County rural schools, first and second grade in Prior Lake, M.L.P. School, Paraprofessional for 17 years, and New Prague Elementary as a Reading Teacher.

UPDATED INFORMATION 5-11-20
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office was able to determine the identity of the remains belonged to Manuel Ramirez, age 36, Kenyon.
On October 28, 2019, The Rice County Sheriff’s Office had taken a call of a vehicle that had crashed in a ditch/ravine near the area Mr. Ramirez’s body not was found. No one was inside the vehicle at the time. Deputies and Investigators had searched the area on different occasions with no success finding Mr. Ramirez.

The Montgomery Area Community Club, the organization responsible for organizing Kolacky Days announced this year’s candidates for the Kolacky Days Queen Pageant.
The six candidates are Marissa Gare, daughter of Joshua and Linda Gare; Rachel Rynda, daughter of Francis and Theresa Rynda; Nicole Schweitzer, daughter of Renee Sorenson; Chloe Triden, daughter of Lori Triden and Tim Triden; Rachel Way, daughter of Tina Way and Chuck Way; and Nikaija Young, daughter of Kurt and Cris Young.

Lonsdale residents had a parade to help lift their spirits the evening of Tuesday, May 5. Vehicles from the Lonsdale Police Department, Lonsdale Fire Department, Rice County Sheriff’s Office and an assortment of Rice County departments made their way through Lonsdale neighborhoods for about an hour. Area residents came out to wave and watch as the vehicles passed by. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The Montgomery City Council on Monday approved a second round of emergency grants for small businesses during the pandemic.
The grants will be for $750 each and will be available for qualified businesses that are deemed essential and are experiencing a reduction in business and hardship.

Carolyn Mary Musil Rynda, age 81, of New Prague, died peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2020 at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center, her home of 4 years after a diagnosis of dementia.  Carolyn was born on January 26, 1939 in New Prague to Joseph and Mary (Janu) Musil.  She graduated from St.

If a grave can be lonely, Mathias Picha’s final resting place fit the bill.
The Montgomery farmer died in 1896, and while his grave is surrounded by markers, including his wife Katerina’s, his was only covered by green grass for 124 years.
Last week, Mathias’s grave in St. John Catholic Cemetery received a headstone.
The flat memorial, which matches Katerina’s from 1904, was purchased by Mathias’s great-great-grandson’s family whose recently discovered their ties to Montgomery.

Rice County Public Health is encouraging residents to follow the CDC recommendation to wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The use of cloth face coverings may help slow the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the chance that a person who has the disease but doesn’t know it, spreads it to others. According to the CDC, cloth face coverings should:
Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
Be secured with ties or ear loops
Include multiple layers of fabric

Rice County Public Health has opened a COVID-19 helpline today, to answer COVID-19 related questions and to help connect residents to local resources during the pandemic.
The Rice County COVID-19 Helpline number is 507.384. 6459. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Messages may be left on the helpline, and calls will be returned the following business day.    
If you have been placed in quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19, call the helpline if you need essential needs assistance in order to maintain isolation or quarantine.

It is with heavy hearts that Sarah and Don Jirak share that their son, Shawn Douglas Jirak, 28, of Minneapolis, formerly of Sleepy Eye died on April 21, 2020, at his home.
Private Funeral Service will be held at the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, on Monday, April 27, 2020. It can be watched at www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye/live>
Shawn was a lover of animals, especially cats. He was a musician. Singing and playing guitar were a great joy, as well as piano and Euphonium.

Road closure alert for CH 42 from CR 17 to CR 83 will begin Monday, April 27th. Access to Minnesota Green will remain available for the duration of the project. Please see the project web page for map of location and detour.
Road closure alert for CH 42 from CR 17 to CR 83 will begin Monday, April 27th. The public will be detoured to CR 16. Closure of the entire length will be until August 2020. Dakota Parkway to CR 83 will be closed until the end of the season.
www.scottcountymn.gov/1944

Frank Huber, 86, of Montgomery, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020, peacefully at the Northfield Hospital from a complication of pneumonia. Services and interment will be at a later date.
Frank was born in Waconia on March 6, 1934, to Oliver and Louise (Soller) Huber. He graduated from Montgomery High School in 1952, went to St. John’s University and then to Dunwoody to take up TV and Electronics.
He was united in marriage to Ruth Nickolay at St. Wenceslaus Church in New Prague on April 26, 1960, and passed away just short of their 60th anniversary.

In response to Executive Order 20-41 issued today by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz,the Minnesota State High School League, under direction of the League’s Board of Directors, has declared, effective immediately, all activities and athletics that occur during the spring season have been cancelled for the 2019-2020 school year. The decision of the League is aligned with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Minnesota Department of Health and is in support of practices that focus on community health and safety.