Irma Emma Kohout, 95, of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2019, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine. Private family services will be held. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.
Irma was born on January 1, 1924 in Rice County to William and Anna (Hanek) Turek. Irma was united in marriage to Edward Filipek on February 12, 1941, and to Edward Kohout on May 4, 1973.

Kenneth James “Ken” Pasek, age 64, of Montgomery, died Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at his residence in Montgomery.  Ken was born on April 18, 1955 in New Prague to James C. and Alice Marie (Kroyer) Pasek.  He grew up in New Prague and graduated from New Prague High School.  During high school, he worked for Bilek Bakery and immediately after high school, he began work at the flour mill and worked there until 2011.  Ken loved music, movies, and show cars.

The Montgomery Area Community Club announces this year’s candidates for the Kolacky Days Queen Pageant on Sunday, April 28.
The candidates are Josephine Hatlevig, daughter of Travis and Nadine Hatlevig; Alyson Hennen, daughter of Allen and Laura Hennen; Sophie Franek, daughter of Dave and Marsha Franek; Brooke Holicky, daughter of Krystal Hamele and Nick Holicky; and Victoria Soukup, daughter of Denise Wondra and David Soukup.

TCU High School Titans took a trip around the world for their annual Prom on Saturday, April 27. Dressed in their finest, 110 couples participated in the Grand March in the high school gym. Pictured are (from left) Rachel Holicky, Nick Kadlec, Ellie Singleton, and Adam Fredrickson.
After Grand March, the students had their dinner and dance at the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul. After the dance, students will be bused to the Dakotah Montgomery Messanger Sports and Fitness Center for the traditional lock-in.
See more in the print edition.

In celebration of Arbor Day, Rice County Master Gardeners gave away free tree seedlings from the Minnesota DNR at the Lonsdale Feed Mill on Friday, April 26 from 3:30 p.m. until gone.

The New Prague Trojans adapted softball team opened its season with a 12-5 loss to Chaska/Chanhassen/Shakope e/Prior Lake, then rebounded with a 15-5 win over South Suburban last week. Both games were at home.
The Trojans will play South Washington Thursday, April 25, at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, then play at South Suburban Tuesday, April 30, at Bloomington Jefferson. They return home Thursday, May 2, facing Burnsville/Farmington/ Lakeville.

The Dakota-Rice-Scott Baseball League begins its 73rd season Sunday, April 28, with six games on the schedule.
The league includes 13 teams - 12 of which are Class C teams. Elko is the lone Class B team. The Express will play each league team once, while the rest of the league will play a double round-robin schedule for a total of 23 league games.

Tri-City United prom-goers will take a “Trip Around the World” on Saturday, April 27.
According to advisor Carolyn Harmeyer, that theme will be represented as the couples walk in the Grand March that starts at 4 p.m. in the TCU High School Gymnasium. There is a $2 entrance fee for the public for that event.
After Grand March, the students will have their dinner and dance at the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul. Harmeyer said this was changed from the previous location that is having flooding problems.

Joseph “Joe” William Schatz, 70, of Lexington, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at his home. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center, with visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Lexington.
Joe was born on April 8, 1949, in Faribault to Joseph and Marian Katherine (Stasney) Schatz. Joe was a graduate of Montgomery High School and Austin Jr. College.

A man from Lexington Township has died in a single tractor rollover on Wednesday, April 24.
Joseph William Schatz, 70, was pronounced dead at the scene after Le Sueur County deputies found him trapped under a tractor. Sheriff Brett Mason said the sheriff’s office received the report at approximately 9:40 a.m. The deputies, along with Le Center Fire Department, Le Center Ambulance Service and North Air Care responded to the scene in Lexington Township.
Mason said Schatz was extricated and life-saving efforts were performed, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man, who walked away from a rural Montgomery Group Home on Saturday, April 20, was found deceased on Wednesday, April 24.
According to Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, deputies responded to a home in rural Montgomery at 8:07 a.m.for a report of an elderly male found unresponsive outside of a residence.
Upon arrival, deputies began life-saving efforts, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. They identified the man as an individual who was reported on April 20 as a walk-away from a rural Montgomery Group Home where he voluntarily lived.

When it comes to volunteering, Bob and Colleen Pavek don’t let something like Colleen almost dying hold them back.
Five years ago Colleen should have died.
But, she didn’t, and the Paveks continue to volunteer in the community.
In recognition for their commitment, the Pavek family will be honored at the annual Arts & Heritage (A&H) Center’s Heritage Breakfast. It will be held on Sunday, April 28 at Hilltop Hall. A&H Center members are serving from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Richard Robert Meger, 89, of rural Le Center, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 26, 2019, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Union Hill with visitation two hours prior at church. Burial will be held in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Lexington. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donors choice.

Loren F. Tuttle, 75, of Montgomery, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital in Mankato.
Loren was born on May 13, 1943, in Blue Earth, Minnesota to Floyd and Dorothy (Runke) Tuttle. He graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1961 and attended college at Mankato State University. On July 28, 1962, he married Judith Classon.
He worked as an accountant for Green Giant, Viking Woodcraft and KGP. After retirement, he worked part time for Fred’s IGA.

Alois James Prochaska, 86, of Heidelberg, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019, at Oak Terrace in Jordan. Visitation will be Thursday, April 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, at St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Heidelberg, with visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment will be in St. Scholastica Cemetery in Heidelberg. Military Honors will be provided by the Montgomery area Honor Guard.

When it comes to timeliness, Le Sueur County Human Services is among the best in the state.
Minnesota Department of Human Services records list Le Sueur County as one of five counties in the state when it comes to 2018 child protection assessment visits. .
The county did not miss one of its scheduled 146 visits last year. Only Le Sueur, Marshall, Stevens, Red Lake, and Lake of the Woods counties had a 100 percent rating in overall timeliness.
The state average rating is 88.4 percent.