Charles E. “Chuck” Kajer, age 60, of New Prague, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague.  Chuck was born on October 16, 1959 in St. Paul and was lovingly welcomed by his parents Ronald G. and Helen D. (Kes) Kajer.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School, graduated from New Prague High School, attained his B.A. from St. John’s University, and an associate degree from Winona State College.  He married the love of his life, Jennifer “Jenny” A. Settergren on June 16, 1984 at St.

Philomena (Phyllis) Maria Bilek Age 88, of Hugo. Phyllis passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on November 10, 2019. Born July 13, 1931 in Cedar Lake Township, Scott County, MN.
Preceded in death by husband, Alois V. Bilek; parents Guy & Mary Blaha; grandparents Barbara & Joseph Madera and Anna & Frank Blaha. 

Our hearts are heavy today as we report that our Managing Editor, Chuck Kajer, passed away suddenly last night. We will miss our “teammate” at The Times… his wit, his thoughtfulness and his amazing ability to recall sports trivia! We ask that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We will post further information when available.

Evelyn Emma Salaba, age 94, of Lonsdale, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 15, 2019 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Church in Lonsdale with Father Michael Miller officiating. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Lonsdale following the service.

New Prague High School student athletes, from left, Sophia Andersen, Emily Russo, Luke Tupy, Will Busch and Kennedy Buckman signed letters of intent during a Wednesday, Nov. 13, ceremony in the high school’s commons area. Family, friends, coaches and teammates attended the ceremony. Buckman will be playing softball at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, Tupy will be playing baseball at St.

Kenneth M. Skok, age 76, of Kenyon, died unexpectedly on Monday, November 11, 2019, at Allina Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN.  Ken was born on July 22, 1943 in New Prague to Albert J. and Florence M. (Dahlberg) Skok.  He attended New Prague High School and then entered a lifetime of seeing a need and filling it through a lifetime of entrepreneurial endeavors.  He owned and operated many businesses including a truck and trailer rental business in West St.

Ominous charcoal gray smoke and blazing orange flames rose from behind the trees bordering the New Prague Compost Site along Columbus Ave. N early Tuesday morning, Nov. 12. The fire was a controlled burn, with city crews burning and clearing the piles that had accumulated from city residents during fall yard cleanup. At times, the smoke could be seen from miles away.

Andrea Means Lehman, right, talks about honoring and remembering veterans during New Prague High School’s Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11. She is the widow of Marine Lance Corporal Dale Means and talked about his career and how all local veterans need to be honored. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

On a sunny, fall afternoon under a clear, blue sky, Virgil Schoenecker and his son, Pete, are busy harvesting corn from the fields on land that’s been in the family for generations. Pete rents the land from his dad now, carrying on the tradition of farming that started decades ago when his great-great-grandfather, Nicholas Schoenecker, emigrated from Waxweiler, Germany in 1850 and homesteaded the original 134 acres northwest of New Prague in 1856. Farming and harvesting has been a mainstay of the community for generations.

Kristin Wornson, daughter of Dick and Cathy Wornson of New Prague, has been selected to be part of the Sedna Epic Expedition, an allwomen's team of scientists, explorers, educators, filmmakers, photographers, journalists and artists, that will take part in an expedition to the Arctic Circle.

The Winter New Prague Times Sports Season at New Prague High School gets underway Tuesday, Nov. 12, when the Trojan girls hockey team hosts Dodge County in its season opener. Game time is 7:15 p.m. The team began practice on Monday, Oct. 28.
The Trojans are coming off a 14-9-3 season under thirdyear Head Coach Taylor Ries. They lost their top two scorers in Lindsay Bjerke and Kaitlyn Blair and their assist leader in Emily Sabol, all three of whom are playing college hockey this season.

After 52 years, the Minnesota Waterfowl Association (MWA) decided to disband earlier this year. However, the 170 local members of the Scott-Le Sueur Chapter of the organization have elected to continue with their mission of working to maintain habitat for waterfowl hunting in the area.

The New Prague area woke up to 1-2 inches of snow Wednesday, Nov. 6, the first measurable snowfall of the season. City snowplows were on the road for the first time this season, clearing the roads for motorists.

Susan Evelyn Sticha, age 99, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, November 15, 2019 at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Susan was born on October 30, 1920 in New Market to Frank X. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Koppen.  Raised in the New Market area, she attended St. Nicholas Catholic School.  She married Edward R. Sticha on November 6, 1939 and she joined him on the farm, where they raised their family.  She loved her chickens and ducks, liked to cook, garden, sew, play cards, do crafts, puzzles, and sing. 

JoAnn Lorraine (Boer) Olson was born on March 24, 1947 in Chester, SD to parents William and Lorraine Boer.  She attended school on the campus of General Beadle State Teachers College and finished high school at Madison Central.  JoAnn attended one year of college before seeking employment at John Morrell & Co.