New Prague and the area will be represented by a DFLer who successfully navigated her first re-election bid and a police chief making his initial bid for state elected office.

Ronald Joseph Larson, age 84, of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Ron was born on the family farm near Brooten on July 9, 1940, to Walter and Bette (McDermond) Larson.  Born at 1 ½ pounds, he was given a slim chance at survival, but he defied the odds and that determination would chart the rest of his life!  

Brian Zaun, age 60, of Shakopee, Minnesota, entered eternal life on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Shakopee.
Brian was born in Shakopee on November 4, 1964, the son of Alfred and Ann (Sirek) Zaun. He was very happy at his home in Eden Prairie, MN, at Lotus View, and made many friends there. In his younger years, Brian worked at the Chaps Thrift Store in Burnsville, MN, and then worked as a custodian at St. Patrick's Tavern in rural New Prague, MN.

New Prague High School’s girls volleyball team went up against a challenging Lakeville North team in the Section 1AAAA semifinals Wednesday, Oct. 30. The Trojans fought hard, but their season ended in a 3-1 setback.
“Our match against Lakeville North was a great challenge, and it was great to see each player rise to the occasion,” said New Prague head coach Greg Sayuk.
The Panthers won the first set, 25-11.

Christopher Lee Shimota, age 42, died unexpectedly on November 8, 2024. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him. Chris was born on January 7, 1982, in Northfield, to Allen and Joyce (Odette) Shimota. He was raised in rural Prior Lake and graduated from Jordan High School in 2000. He worked on the family farm, where he learned skills, including sandblasting and heavy equipment painting, which became his occupation along with welding.

He remembers members of the honor guard at a veterans’ funeral several years ago. Their presence meant a lot to the family of the former soldier. It told the family their loved one’s service was not forgotten. John Giesen took that memory and uses it to fuel an unyielding commitment to remember, to honor, the community’s veterans.
“There was an opening so I did not have to wait,” Giesen said. “The families of the veterans, they all really enjoy it.”

New Prague’s elected mayor in 2026 will serve for four years after the city council adjusted the mayor’s term from two to four years at its Oct. 21 meeting.

In observance of Veterans Day Monday, Nov. 11, New Prague Area School District 721, St. Wenceslaus School, Praha Village, and Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Care Center, have scheduled programs over two days. The events are being held Friday, Nov. 8, and Tuesday, Nov. 12, as schools will be closed Nov. 11.
The New Prague Veterans Honor Guard will participate in, and present our nation’s colors at all scheduled observances listed. All New Prague area veterans are welcome and encouraged to attend any or all of the observances scheduled.

A single-ballot distribution error on Monday, Nov. 4, at the Public Works facility and a subsequent ballot scanning
machine malfunction will have Scott County re-scanning the proper ballots for approximately 13,000 ballots beginning at 4 p.m. today (Friday, Nov. 8).
All potentially affected candidates have been updated on the situation, which may or may not still result in a recount.

The New Prague Veterans Honor Guard and St. Wenceslaus School students observe Veterans Day Friday morning, Nov. 8, at the New Prague Veterans Memorial. The ceremony honored those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Friday was one of two days for Veterans Day observances. The second day will be Tuesday, Nov. 12, with ceremonies at New Prague’s three elementary schools, plus Praha Village senior apartments and Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Care Center. For more on Veterans Day observances see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

Dorothy D. Orr, age 86, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at St. Gertrude Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Dorothy was born on April 21, 1938, in Gary, Indiana, to Stanley and Helen (Murawski) Nawrocki.  The family moved to East Chain, MN, before settling in Granada, MN, where Dorothy graduated from High School.  She went on to become a Licensed Practical Nurse from the program at St. Joseph Hospital in Saint Paul.  Dorothy married William M.

Updated as of Wednesday, November 6 at 9:30 a.m. per the Secretary of States website.
Voters in the New Prague area for the most part returned incumbent candidates to their posts on city councils, the school board and county boards according to unofficial returns posted on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website Tuesday night, Nov. 5.

Kenneth "Kenny" Bartyzal of New Prague, MN, passed away on November 3, 2024, in Mankato, MN, at the age of 90.  Born March 15, 1934, in New Prague, Kenneth was the son of Frank and Regina (Zaun) Bartyzal.  Kenneth attended New Prague public schools and entered the U.S. Army at age 17 in January, 1952, during the Korean War.  He spent most of his service time in Germany.  Kenny married Shirley Denzer in February, 1953, and together they raised five children.

Mary Lou Cathrin (LaTour) Kroyer, 89, passed suddenly at home on Saturday, November 2, 2024, just days before her 90th birthday. Born at home in Shakopee on November 8, 1934, to Nicholas and Hildegarde (Unze) LaTour. Mary Lou lived a life dedicated to faith, family, and community service.

Irene B. Ceplecha, age 94, of New Prague, died peacefully at Mala Strana Assisted Living with her family at her side on Friday, November 1, 2024. Irene was born on November 14, 1929, in New Prague, to Emil and Bessie (Novak) Ziskovsky. Raised in Veseli on the family farm she attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School.

Mary Ann Smisek, age 79, of Lonsdale, MN, passed away at her home on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, after a struggle of several years with Lewy Body Dementia.