Leo V. Wagner, Jr., age 89, of Elko, Minnesota, passed away on September 4, 2026, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. He lived a full and hardworking life rooted in service, craftsmanship, faith and, above all, his love for family and friends.

Leo was born October 21, 1936, in New Prague, to Leo Sr. and Helen (Ceplecha) Wagner. From an early age, Leo learned that hard work came first, followed by fun. He worked on the family farm while attending school, building the work ethic that would stay with him throughout his life.

Kaylene M. Lemke, age 78, of Union Hill, Minnesota, passed away surrounded by her family on September 5, 2026, at St. Gertrude’s and the Gardens in Shakopee. Kaylene Marie Pieper was born on April 12, 1948, in Shakopee, Minnesota, to John and Verena (Thomas) Pieper. She graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mankato. After graduation she attended Minnesota School of Business and earned an associate’s degree studying to be an administrative assistant.

Charles Rud, age 83, of Webster, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the Hennepin County Medical Center of Minneapolis after a battle with kidney cancer and other health complications, surrounded by his loving family. 

Anthony F. (Tony) Dorzinski passed away peacefully at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

When New Prague’s girls’ swimming and diving team takes to the pool Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m., at the New Prague Aquatic Center against St. Peter, the most important part of the dual meet won’t be the final score, bur rather the progress the team makes toward athletes being their best for the most important meets.

After weeks of hard work and commitment their goal of playing with a team-first purpose, the New Prague High School girls’ soccer team earned its first win of the season Monday evening.

The NP girls will face Farmington Tuesday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m., at Trojan Stadium. Thursday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m., NPHS welcomes Chaska to Trojan Stadium followed by Saturday’s Sept. 12, noon, match at New Ulm High School’s Eagles Stadium.

When New Prague High School’s football team takes the field tonight, Thursday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m. at Trojan Stadium, opening the season with a strong showing will be important.

The Trojans open the season against Hastings, a team they fell to a year ago, 20-17. NP will host St. Francis Sept. 11, 7 p.m. New Prague is looking to open its season with strong showings en route to a solid season and a favorable seeding for post-season play.

Eleanore Jirik, age 86, of Northfield, died on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Three Links Care Center.

Kathleen Marie Anderson, 79, of Webster, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee after a brief illness. 

    His best days were spent on a dirt bike, on some other form of motorized machine or in the garage building or improving anything with a motor he could make run better. Levi Schelhaas died way too young doing exactly what he loved. And in his death, he helped other people enjoy life in their own way.

Donald John Hauer, age 88, passed away on August 30, 2026, at Praha Village in New Prague, after a short battle with skin cancer.

Don was born on May 4, 1938, in Derrynane Township, Le Center, Minnesota, to John and Eleanore (Studnicka) Hauer. He was raised alongside his two siblings on the family Century Farm. Don attended St. John’s Parochial School in Union Hill and later New Prague High School.

Natasha “Tasha” (Siefker) Cook, of New Prague, passed away unexpectedly on August 16, 2026, at the age of 48. She was surrounded by her two sisters and her three beloved children, who were the greatest loves of her life.

She’s not one to openly discuss national or international politics or her opinions on how the administration is handling relations and trade balances with other countries.

Calvary Church of New Prague held outdoor Sunday worship services through the month of August with each Sunday service being blessed with good weather with sun and temperatures in the 80s most days. The tent was placed in a field south of Raven Stream Elementary School, which is land where the congregation plans to eventually build its church.

NP will face Brew crew tomorrow night

For much of Saturday’s Class C state tournament game against New York Mills, the Millers rotated pitchers each time New Prague completed a cycle through its lineup. It’s a strategy that almost worked as the Orioles rallied from a 1-0 deficit to claim a 4-1 win before an orange-clad crowd at Memorial Park in New Prague.

Earlier this month, New Prague School District Superintendent Andy Vollmuth notified the school board the district had received word from a booster group it might be interested in donating to help fund new jerseys for teams, jerseys carrying the logos of local businesses.