I took my father to see a show with U.S. Navy Glee Club Men’s and Women’s Chorus with the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall earlier this month. Preceding the show, we sat down in the lobby next to a couple, approximately in their seventies.

Joel Loose and his family were thrilled and grateful for the support they received at a benefit in his honor Sunday afternoon, Nov. 19, at The Depot in New Prague.
Approximately 450 people attended the benefit fundraiser to help the Loose family with medical expenses during Joel’s battle ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) after surviving heart and lung surgery. He is planning an update next week with doctors at the University of Minnesota, said Chris Loose, his wife.

Brian C. Davis, 59, of St. Paul, and formerly of Chaska and New Prague, passed away unexpectedly at his home on November 6, 2023.
Brian was born in Ames, IA, on December 24, 1963, to Earle and Della Davis. Shortly thereafter, the family relocated to Minnesota, where he was raised on a small farm near Union Hill and attended school in New Prague.

Gladys Tupy died peacefully on November 15, 2023. She was 91 and the youngest of six children born to Charles and Josephine Sticha in New Prague, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Tuesday November 21, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Owatonna, MN. Friends may greet the family from 9:30-11:00 AM at the church. A parish rosary will be recited before the visitation at 9:15 AM. Interment will be at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, New Prague.

Karen Busch Kraft, 73, of Scottsdale, AZ passed away on November 14, 2023, with her family by her side. Karen was born on October 3, 1950, in New Prague, MN, to Lando and Angie Busch. She was the eldest of six children and graduated from New Prague High School in 1968. She worked as a stockbroker in Incline Village, NV, and she co-founded Healthy Life Stars.

Joan M. Jirik, age 82, of New Prague, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center. Joan was born on May 20, 1941, in Mankato to Ludwig and Marcella (Sieberg) Schimek. She attended parochial schools including Loyola High School and graduated from Mankato West High School. She met and married William J. Jirik, Jr. on February 10, 1962 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato. Joan had a penchant for numbers and started out working as a bookkeeper and would use that talent the remainder of her career.

Catherine M. Simek, age 63, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, November 13, 2023, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Cathy was born on April 23, 1960, in New Prague to Lawrence and Gladys (David) Simek.  She attended St. Wenceslaus Parochial School and graduated from New Prague High School. Cathy began her career as a nursing assistant at Mala Strana Nursing Home then worked as a clerk at Kmart for over 10 years before returning to Mala Strana Assisted Living where she was currently working in the housekeeping department.

Family and friends organize fundraiser for Joel Loose and family
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “If you want a friend, you need to be a friend.” For many in New Prague, the quote likely describes Joel Loose and his wife, Chris. The couple has been involved in the community either through Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, the community theater group, Generations Theatre Company, plus many other events.

Constance Stuewe, 65, of Belle Plaine, passed away on November 12, 2023, in Shakopee, MN, surrounded by her family. A mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM on Monday, November 20, 2023, at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. The visitation will be the evening prior on Sunday, November 19, from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine.  Fr. Michael Kaluza will officiate.  Burial will be in the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery.

Timothy Bolton, age 62, of Montgomery, died surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Systems, New Prague on Nov. 10, 2023. He was born Nov. 16, 1960, in Mankato to Harvey and Trulie Bolton.  
 Tim enjoyed working on cars in his younger years, often making them as fast as he could.
 Tim graduated from Mankato West High School in 1979. He married his first wife Becky a few years later.  
 They moved to Colorado in 1989. There, he fell in love with the mountains, enjoyed taking his family up jeep trails with friends, dirt biking and hunting.

Roger J.

New Prague High School’s volleyball team finished its run at state in the championship match Saturday, Nov. 11, for Class AAAA at Xcel Energy Center. New Prague finished second to the No. 1-seeded Wayzata Trojans.
While Wayzata won in a three game sweep, New Prague made it battle for each point. For more see an upcoming print edition of The Times.

The New Prague Veterans Honor Guard present the colors at the beginning of the Veterans Day program in New Prague High School’s gym Friday, Nov. 10. the 30-minute program at the high school had music and speeches to honor area veterans. The Friday program was one of several held at area schools, nursing homes and churches in the New Prague area recognizing veterans who served in all branches of the military. (Patrick Fisher photo)

Correction: Veterans Mass at St. Wenceslaus will be Sunday, Nov. 12, 8:30 a.m., not Friday, Nov. 10 as published in Nov. 9 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Section meet at Lakeville this week
Members of the New Prague High School swimming & diving team say the difference between setting a new school or pool record is razor thin, a difference equating to tenths or hundredths of a second. Or, between making it to the state meet and coming up just short.

What do you call a musical where you see Horton hearing a Who and The Cat in the Hat? Why “Seussical” of course. New Prague High School students will present five performances of the production beginning Friday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., at the high school auditorium.
Other performance dates are Saturday, Nov 18, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov 19, 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov 25, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov 26, at 2 p.m.
“Seussical” the musical brings to life favorite Dr. Seuss characters such as Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo.