Constance Julia Franek, known to those who loved her as Connie, passed away on December 25, 2025, at Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague, Minnesota. She was 79 years old.

Michael G. Simon, age 77, Lonsdale, passed away September 26, 2026 at Praha Village in New Prague. Mike was born July 18,1949 in Northfield, MN to Ray & Ann (Skluzacek) Simon. He grew up on the family farm outside of Lonsdale, attending Catholic school in Lonsdale and high school in New Prague, graduating in 1967.

Jane (Kerber) Michel, age 93, of Victoria, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2026, at her residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Victoria Parish Family (8228 Victoria Dr) in Victoria with Father Bob White as Celebrant of the Mass. Visitation Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday, ALL  AT THE CHURCH. Interment in the church cemetery.

Thursday, Sept. 24, the six individuals and members of the state championship 2000 Girls Basketball team, were honored at a special ceremony in New Prague High School’s auditorium. The honorees were also  honored during halftime of the homecoming football game Friday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m., at Trojan Stadium.

New Prague High School crowned its Homecoming king and queen at its Friday, Sept. 25, Pep Fest. The royalty are (back row, left to right) King Carter Den Hartog and Queen Irelin Brockoff; plus (front row) Princess Caroline Scharpen and Prince Luca Digatono. For more on Homecoming, plus Friday night’s football game check out this coming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

New Prague High School’s girls tennis team had two tough meets last week. The Trojans lost to Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 2-5, Tuesday, Sept. 15, and then lost to Orono, 2-5, Thursday, Sept. 17.

For the Benilde-St. Margaret meet, NPHS head coach Jamie Schoenbauer said, “Tori Erickson won at No. 1 singles, and No. 3 doubles, Claire Erickson and Kate Gilles won.”

Against Orono, Schoenbauer said, Lily Bible won at No. 1 singles, and the doubles team of Claire Erickson and Kate Gilles won again.

School boards are more often than not a collection of education-supporting folks trying to do what they think is the right thing by the community’s children when it comes to the education they receive.

That seems simple enough, doesn’t it?

After tournament wins over Minneapolis Washburn, Burnsville and Edina, the New Prague High School volleyball team is looking to build momentum heading into the final four weeks of the season.

Saturday, Sept. 19, the Trojans topped Washburn, 2-0, Burnsville, 2-1, and Edina 2-1. New Prague returns to the court tonight, Sept. 24, 7 p.m., at Waconia. Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m., NP will face the Jaguars at Bloomington Jefferson before a rematch with Edina, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m., at Edina.

Despite losing its starting quarterback, the New Prague High School football team doesn’t have a lot of time to wallow in despair with the annual homecoming game tomorrow night at Trojan Stadium. New Prague is looking to make the needed changes to its offense and rally for a win.

Irma F. (Kovarik) Langer, age 96, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2026.

Irma was born on June 9, 1930, in Minneapolis to Frank and Julianna (Krepela) Kovarik. She grew up in Montgomery, where she graduated from high school before continuing her education at Mankato State, where she received her teacher training.

    Montgomery’s Eva Tikalsky was crowned 2026-2027 Miss Czech-Slovak Minnesota Queen during the pageant Saturday evening at the Park Ballroom in New Prague.
    The daughter of Naima du Chatellier and Christopher Tikalsky, Eva Tikalsky was joined on stage by first princess Wren Zwaschka of Mankato and second princess Evelyn Winget of Nerstrand. The junior ambassadors chosen are Annika Budin of Montgomery, Lillian Skluzacek of Nerstrand, Cailyn Meadows of Montgomery, Abigail Mader of Kilkenny and Clara Winget of Nerstrand.

Garold “Gary” Joseph Skluzacek, born December 9, 1950, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, September 19, 2026.

Gary proudly served in the military reserves and went on to a successful career, eventually becoming Vice President of Bakery Equipment Sales at Horizon Equipment.

The St. Paul Czech & Slovak Dancers perform at the Chamber Beer Garden during Dozinky, Saturday morning, Sept. 19, in New Prague. A mist of rain didn’t stop the group from making its annual appearance at the Czech harvest festival in New Prague held in the city’s downtown and in Memorial Park.

Patrick Fisher photo

Despite the rain, the Car Cruise of classic cars happened Friday evening, Sept. 18, with people lining the route down New Prague’s Main Street. People came prepared with rain jackets and umbrellas to watch the vintage vehicles and to enjoy an assortment of foods. The Car Cruise is part of Dozinky, New Prague’s Czech harvest festival that will continue tomorrow (Saturday) with activities for children, music and a parade at noon. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times.

Patrick Fisher photo

New Prague High School named its Homecoming king and queen candidates Friday, Sept. 18. King candidates are (back row, left to right) Evan Otremba, Nolan Laine, Carter Den Hartog, Grady Neisen, Spencer Bahn, Owen Johnson, Riley Krocak, Drew Britten; queen candidates are (front row, left to right) Claire Erickson, Kendall Hauck, Orelia Slavik, Summer Engel, Courtney Nelson, Sophia Lee, Mckenna Noble and Irelin Brockoff.

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Erlin “Sandy” Rank of New Prague received the Ultimate Honor from members of New Prague American Legion Auxiliary Unit 45 and the New Prague Honor Guard at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.

The event recognizes military veterans for their service who are usually at the end of life, said Joni Tikalkaky, president of the auxiliary. “We give them a military blanket that represents the branch they served in,” Tikalsky said. Rank served in the Navy. He was a seaman apprentice-E2. Rank also received a certificate and a pin.