He was a young man off the farm just a few miles west of New Prague. His mother was a German immigrant who watched her homeland plunged into the depths of war and her son save 166 of his comrades from execution at a notorious concentration camp.
Ben Scharf eventually came home to the United States after the war. He survived a hurricane and eventually settled in California. Like many of the veterans of his generation, he didn’t speak much of his life as a soldier during World War II. He spent the rest of his life as a hard-worker and a veteran who served his country.

New Prague High School’s volleyball team qualified for the Class AAAA state finals as the Trojans swept Stillwater Area in three games Thursday, Nov. 9. New Prague, the No. 2-seed in the state tournament, will face the No. 1-seeded Wayzata Trojans Saturday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Wayzata beat Anoka 3-0 in the other semifinal match.

Saturday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, a time we should especially remember to honor the service of our country’s military veterans, men and women who have given so much so we can enjoy our daily lives in relative ease and comfort.

The Le Sueur County Government Center will be illuminated green Nov. 6-12 as part of Operation Green Light to show support for military veterans, as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist Veterans and their families.
By shining a green light, we let our Veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported.
Rice County
Rice County will light its Government Services Building green through Nov. 13 as part of Operation Green

New Prague High School’s volleyball team advanced to Class AAAA state semifinals as the Trojans defeated Minnetonka, 3-1, Wednesday, Nov. 8.
New Prague will face Stillwater Area match Thursday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m. at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Stillwater defeated Rogers, 3-2, to reach the semifinal round.

Voters in the New Prague School District turned down the district’s request for additional local revenue for general fund operations Tuesday, Nov. 7, by 36 votes.
By a 2,471 to 2,436 margin, voters rejected a request for an additional $450 per student for 10 years, adjusted for inflation. The proposal, had it passed, would have added about $231 per year – about $19.29 per month – to the school district’s share of property taxes on a house valued for taxation at $350,000.

Leander A. “Corky” Wagner, age  88, of Elko New Market, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, November 4, 2023.  Lee was born on February 6, 1935, on the family farm in New Market Township to Edward and Evelyn (Lenzmeier) Wagner, Sr.  He attended St. Nicholas Catholic School and graduated from New Prague High School.  He served in the US Army after  high school and came home to marry the woman who had captured his heart and written to him throughout his years in the service.  Lee married Victoria L.

Rosemary A. Lambrecht, age 92, of New Prague, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Friday, November 3, 2023.  Rosemary was born on August 5, 1931, on the family farm in Union Hill to Joseph and Cecelia (Ruhland) Schoenecker.  She grew up on the family farm where she loved to milk the cows and remained a farm girl at heart throughout her life.  She graduated from New Prague High School and completed her college degree by attending night classes at Mankato State College while working full time at MVE.  Rosemary met and married Joseph W.

They hope any woman or girl in the community who wants to attend the event will be there. Sarah Kallal of New Prague and her friends are planning an event they hope will build a strong, uniting bond and help strengthen the sense of community.

When it comes to casual conversation, Kim Doyle is occasionally asked about her plans for retirement. The question grates, slightly, on her patience. After 35 years as a Catholic school principal, Doyle is not yet ready to write the next chapter in her life.
Doyle enjoys her job. She cherishes the chance to spend time amongst teachers and children excited to learn and expand their faith through education. Doyle isn’t exactly sure, yet, what the next chapter will include.
“I can’t see myself not doing something,” she said.

Your New Prague Area School District has offered a case voters should approve an additional $450 per student levy for 10 years – not “forever” as Director Dan Call told the board he had been telling constituents back in August.
Call, who told the school board he opposed the levy request, was corrected on the misinformation. Hopefully, he has since touched base with all those folks and provided them accurate information.

New Prague High School’s volleyball team had a chance to advance to the Section 1AAA championship match Saturday, Nov. 4. On Wednesday, Nov. 1, the No. 1-seeded Trojans (23-5) hosted No. 4-seeded Rochester Mayo (20-8) at 7 p.m. Results of the Nov. 1 match were not available as of press time for The Times.

Carl R. Gansen, age 69, of Belle Plaine, died September 14, 2023, at home surrounded by his family.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Prairie (OLP) Catholic Church in Belle Plaine.  Fr. Michael Kaluza and Msgr. John Richter will be officiating.  Visitation will be 9:00-10:30 a.m. at the church, prior to Mass.  Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Belle Plaine after Mass and a reception luncheon will follow at the OLP parish hall.

The New Prague High School girls' volleyball team will face Lakeville North Saturday Nov. 4, 4 p.m., at Rochester's Mayo Civic Center, for a berth to the state tournament representing Section 1AAAA.

Paul Kartak, age 64, passed away in his sleep on October 27, 2023, at his home in Arlington, Texas. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, often out chasing waterfowl with his faithful canine companion.  Having grown up in New Prague he was a loyal fan of all New Prague sports and enjoyed following the Golden Gopher football team.  Paul enjoyed playing broomball with a great group of friends.  He was retired from the US Navy as a Master Chief in Aircraft Maintenance.  Preceded in death by parents George and Ruth Anne Kartak and brother Bill Kartak.

Gail M. Giesen, age 61, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Friday, October 27, 2023, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Gail was born on June 11, 1962, in New Prague to Gerald and Lidwina (Huss) Giesen.  She graduated from New Prague High School and went on to accomplish a degree in Culinary Arts from St. Cloud Technical School.  Gail loved her job as a cook with numerous restaurants, her favorites being Clemmer's/Fishtale Bar & Grill and cooking for The Villages in Lonsdale.