Margaret Ann "Peggy" Iverson, age 67, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully at home on April 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Rita Ann Stasney, age 94, of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Central Health Care in Le Center.

Rita was born as a twin with her brother, Richard, on December 15, 1931, in Montgomery Township, Le Sueur County, to Frank and Agnes (Schleis) Choudek. She grew up on the family farm near Montgomery and attended St. Raphael Catholic School through the eighth grade. She graduated from Montgomery High School in 1949.

Ronald “Kopee" R. Kopet , age 82, of New Prague, passed away on March 30, 2026.

Orville R. Aman, age 94, of New Prague, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 26, 2026.

Orville was born on November 24, 1931, in Eureka, South Dakota, to Reinholt and Alma Aman. He grew up in Eureka and worked in the dairy industry before being drafted into the United States Army. He served during the Korean War and rose to the rank of sergeant, a role he took great pride in.

Gene Howard Sanford, age 75, of Faribault, passed away March 18, 2026, at the Mayo Clinic Health System, New Prague.  

Funeral services will be held on April 14, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church, Faribault.  Interment will be at Forest Cemetery, rural Rice County.

Anna Mae Witt, age 95, of New Prague, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on March 22, 2026.

Anna Mae was born on September 4, 1930, to Thomas and Evelyn Shaughnessy on her family’s farm in St. Thomas, Minnesota. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Le Sueur High School. After earning her teacher training certificate, she began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in St. Thomas.

Brianna Kiefert, age 38, of New Prague, passed away unexpectedly at home on March 19, 2026.

Brianna was born April 18, 1987, in Shakopee, Minnesota, to Randy and Teresa (Nordrum) Kes. She grew up in New Prague and graduated from New Prague High School in 2005. After graduation, she followed her love for children by working in childcare. She met her husband, Tim, in 2012, and they were married in 2014.

The family and friends of Dr. Kurtis Malecha, Ph.D., are deeply saddened to announce his passing on March 10, 2026. He was born on October 1, 1990 in Lonsdale, MN, to Tim and Sue Malecha. Prior to attending college, he worked at his parent's shop learning the values of hardwork and problem-solving. He obtained a Bachelor's in Chemistry from Minnesota State University, Mankato, followed by a Master's and Doctorate in Atmospheric Chemistry from University of California, Irvine.