Martha J. Svoboda, age 97, of New Prague, died peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2020 at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Martha was born on May 22, 1923 in Veseli, Minnesota to John J. and Emily A. (Hruza) Havlicek.  She attended school in Veseli and worked as a live-in nanny for Dr. Komarek until she met the love of her life, LeRoy Svoboda, and married on March 9, 1943 in Veseli.  Martha was a gifted seamstress and worked for many years at Munsingwear until the company closed.

Steve Halvorson, age 75, passed away at his home in rural St. James on Saturday, July 4, 2020.
 Private Family services will be 11:00am, Saturday, July 11, 2020 at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James.
 You may send the family condolences online at www.sturmfh.com.
 Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James.

Gaertner (née Nickolay), Mary “Rita” age 88, of Richfield, MN.  Passed away on May 16, 2020.  Preceded in death by husband of 62 years, William “Bill” Gaertner; parents, Bessie and John Nickolay and siblings, John, Richard, Donald, and Charles. Survived by sons, Robert (Cheri), Michael (Karin); grandchildren, Mike, Adam (McKenzie), and Catie; great-grandchildren. Brantley and Knox; siblings, Lucille, Ruth, George, Willy and Francis. 

Hofmeister, Donald L.  Age 89, of St. Paul, passed away June 26, 2020.  Survived by beloved wife of 63 years, Elsa, daughter Elizabeth (Marshall, Dave); sons Andrew (Linda), Franz (Jeannie), and Joseph (Teresa), 12 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren and one sister.  Preceded in death by parents and brother. 
Mass of Christian Burial Friday, July 3, 2020 at Cathedral of St. Paul at 10AM. 

Lloyd “Angel” Troendle, age 80, of New Prague, died peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2020 at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Paul. 

Mary Frances Loula, age 84, passed away peacefully in her home June 18th, 2020, with her family by her side. She was born on October 6th, 1935 in New Prague, Minnesota to Harold and Helen Picha. After graduating from New Prague High school and working in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she married her high school sweetheart, Myron (Mike) Loula, on August 9th, 1958 at Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague, Minnesota.  Mary was a dedicated mother and grandmother first and foremost. She treasured her children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with them.

Donna Germscheid, age 84, lost her battle with Alzheimer’s Thursday May 7th, 2020 at Shoreview Senior Living.  Donna is remembered as a strong woman who loved her family, golf, gardening, sewing, crossword puzzles, reading, music, fishing and animals. 

Lucille Caroline Busch died after a short illness on June 15th, 2020 at Mala Strana, in New Prague. Lucy was born on December 13, 1922 in the Maxa family farm house just outside of New Prague.  She was the third daughter of four children born to Jacob and Anna Maxa. 

Backlin, Sigfred A’Dare, Age 93 of Bloomington, MN died on June 11, 2020. 
Sigfred was born on a farm at Holmes City, MN to the parents of Sigfred and Olga Backlin.  Graduated from Alexandria High School.  Served during WWII and the Korean War.  He was a railroad engineer for M&STL as well as Chicago Northwestern Railroads, several of those years in New Prague, for a total of 43 years and 25 more years as a Cub Foods employee. 

Andy Pany, 61, of Montgomery, passed away at his home on June 9, 2020.
Burial will be held on Saturday, June 20 at 3 p.m. at the National Bohemian Cemetery in Montgomery. A visitation will be held at 4 p.m. at the Rustic Farmer, Montgomery. Social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Andy was the son of Alvin and Gerry Pany. He was born January 20, 1959. After graduating from Montgomery High School, Andy went to school and became a journeyman Electrician and worked for St. Paul Electrical Union.

Sylvia (Sally Simon,) Rezac, 91, of Owatonna, died June 12th, 2020.
Sylvia was born in New Prague, MN to Bohumil and Ludmilla (Kalina) Simon. She was the 6th of 9 children. Sylvia grew up speaking Czech and later learned English and Latin in Catholic school.
Every summer on the farm as a young child, it gave her great joy caring for her flocks of ducklings and goslings. Due to chronic respiratory problems, Sylvia spent most winter days staying with her Grandma Kalina in Veseli, attending Most Holy Trinity Catholic school.

John Dean Knudtson, age 21 of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at his home in New Prague, Minnesota. John was born December 4, 1998, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Joseph and Wendy (Miller) Knudtson. He enjoyed skateboarding, hanging out with friends, playing Magic card games, and video games, especially Call of Duty and Black Ops. John was an avid weapons expert and enjoyed being outdoors. He loved his Jeep, the movie Deadpool, art, and was a very talented drawer. John was very independent and proud; he would rarely ask for help.

Forest Dale Lehman, 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 4,2020. He was a long time resident of New Prague, MN. He was born June 13, 1929 in Tigerton, WI to Paul & Mary (Prahl) Lehman. He entered the US Air Force after graduating from high school and served for 6 years.  During the time he was stationed in Japan, he met the love of his life, Kura and they married March 18, 1952 in Tokyo, Japan. They eventually ended up living in New Prague on a farm. Forest worked at Roberts Automatic Products as a machinist for 29 years.

Jack Webster, 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2020, at the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna, MN, following a well-fought battle with cancer.
Webster was born in rural Pottawatomie County, Kansas on March 11, 1934 near the small town of Cleburne, to James and Bessie (Harter) Webster. He attended the one-room Belgrade Rural Grade School for six years, then graduated from Cleburne Elementary School in 1948. Webster attended, and graduated from, Cleburne Rural High School in 1952.

Smisek, Julia A., age 88 of Lonsdale, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2020.
Preceded in death by her husband, Robert; granddaughter, Rachel Bastyr; parents, William and Elsie Kalal; siblings, Raymond and Milton Kalal and Helen Smisek. Survived by her children, Gayleen (Garth) Cockerell, Robert (Laura) Smisek, Rodney (Kim) Smisek, Charli (Lenny) Bastyr, Roger (Linda) Smisek, and Eileen (Charles) Shimota; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Earl (Theresa) Kalal and brother-in-law, Arnie (Mary) Smisek; also by other loving relatives and friends.

Eugene J. Flicek, age 77, of North Mankato, died on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living, North Mankato. 
No services are being held.  Cards and flowers may be sent to the family.  Condolences can be left online for the family at www.mankatomortuary.com.