Gerald Francis Kovarik, age 79, of Lonsdale, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
He is survived by his five children: Julie Kovarik (fiancé Dennis Tikalsky) of Hackensack, Ann Kovarik of Montgomery, Crystal (Richard) Shetka of Faribault, Sarria (Mitch) Green of Hopkins and Christopher Kovarik of St. Paul; five grandchildren: Nikitta (Cole) Mason, Cody Shetka, Brandon Klonne, Oscar and Roy Green, one great-grandson, Waylon Mason; brother Richard (Connie) Kovarik.

Darlene A. Pelcl, age 69, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital Mankato.  Darlene was born on April 23, 1954 in New Prague to William J. and Bessie C. (Preslicka) Pecholt.  She attended St. Wenceslaus Parochial School and New Prague High School.  Darlene married Stanley H. Pelcl in Chaska on May 23, 1990.  She worked as a quality control inspector for Lake Regions Manufacturing for over 25 years.

Marian Elizabeth (Horejsi) Topic, 91 years old, died July 23, 2023 peacefully at her home in New Prague, Minnesota. Born May 3, 1932 to Frank M. And Mary S. (Tuma) Horejsi in Webster Minnesota, the first daughter and middle child of 5. Growing up on a rural family farm ingrained in her a love of gardening, sewing, hard work and family. 

Daniel M. “Dan” Pumper died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home in Lonsdale, Minn., on July 10, 2023. He was 59. Dan was born on Jan. 14, 1964, in Northfield, Minn. He served in the U.S. Marines after graduating from Northfield High School. Dan also served in the Minnesota National Guard. He lived in Lonsdale for most of his adult life. He retired from Menasha Corporation in 2022.

James “Jim” H. Grassmann, age 75, peacefully entered eternal life on June 29, 2023. A Time of Gathering to honor Jim will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with Closing Words & Prayers at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 First St W, Jordan, MN 55352. Interment Spirit Hill Cemetery, Jordan. 

LaVella Berger, 87, passed away Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Cura of Le Sueur Nursing Home in Le Sueur, Minnesota.
LaVella Arlene Berger was born on November 25, 1935, in Henning, Minnesota, the daughter of August and Belle (Halvorson) Loser.  She was baptized and confirmed in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Henning, attended Country School District #93 in Inman Township, and graduated from Henning High School in 1953.  After her graduation, she moved to Minneapolis and was employed with Northwestern National Bank for three years.

Kenneth M. “Pizza” Piazza, age 77, of New Prague, died suddenly while riding his bike close to his home at Cedar Lake on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.  Ken was born on February 16, 1946 in Joliet, IL to Mario and Anne (Belom) Piazza.  He graduated from Joliet High School and went on to attain his Bachelor’s degree from Central College in Pella, IA.  While in college he wrestled and played football competing in several bowl games and was named to the All Iowa Conference Football Team.  It was while he was in grad school at Mankato State College, that he met Jean H.

James “Jim” Deutsch, age 80, formerly of Wells, MN, of Woodbury, MN died Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Prelude Assisted Living in Woodbury, MN. A Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Nasinec Funeral Home (789 Business Park Dr. Wells, MN 56097) with Father Greg Havel officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home (10:00 to 11:00 a.m.). Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Wells, MN. Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells is entrusted with arrangements.

Galen G. “Gater” George, age 71, of New Prague, Minnesota died unexpectedly at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague on Monday, March 27, 2023.  Gater was born on April 2, 1951 in Winfield, Kansas to Harold Gene and Molly (Larsson) George.  He grew up in the the Wichita area, served in the US Army and returned to Wichita before finally settling in New Prague about 10 years ago.  

LeArnold “Lee” Klingberg, age 79, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on July 1, 2023. A visitation will be on Thursday, July 6, 2023, from 4-7 p.m., at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake and on Friday, July 7, 2023, from 9:30-10:45 a.m., followed by a celebration of life, at 11 a.m., at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Prior Lake. Interment at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. 

Rudolph J. Skluzacek, age 92 of Lonsdale, Minnesota, went home to the Lord on July 1, 2023.
He was born May 29, 1931 to Frank J. and Hedwig (Pekar) Skluzacek on the home farm in Wheatland Township.
Rudy farmed on the family century farm his entire life.  He also was employed at McQuay, in Faribault, and McNamara Construction. 
He served his country in Alaska during the Korean War.  He was a proud, active, lifetime member of the American Legion Post 586 for 71 years. 

Lillian J. “Bella” Hertaus, age 83, of New Prague, died unexpectedly, Friday, June 30, 2023, at her daughter’s home on the Whitefish chain in Pequot Lakes, MN. Bella was born on May 29, 1940 to John C. and Josephine (Douda) Mracek. She grew up in rural Northfield and was a 1958 graduate of Northfield High School. At 15, Bella met an “older gentleman” age 18, at a dance. She invited him to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance at her school. That was the start of a romance that would continue through his service in the US Navy and thereafter.

It was a very sad day for us when we lost our beloved Sister Paula on June 9th of this year.  The good news is that she moved on to the promised land of Heaven and was reunited with all her relatives and friends that loved her.
 Funeral services were held at the Saint Joseph Chapel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 21, June, 2023. 
Sister Paula was born in New Prague, Minnesota on March 19, 1927 and lived on the family farm on Highway 23, 1 mile north of the Rice County line.

William Mathew "Nick" Nickolay, age 84 of St. Paul, MN, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2023. Survived by wife and caretaker extraordinaire JoAnn (née Halloran) of nearly 58 years; children, Carter Nickolay (Karen), Janell Nickolay (Shane), and Gwen Nickolay Traynor; grandchildren, Kara, Matthew (Kara), Brigid, and Ronan; siblings Lucille, Francis, George, and Ruth; numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. Predeceased by parents, John F. and Bessie Nickolay, and siblings John, Charles, Rita, Donald, and Richard.

Jane Ann Johnson Hines of New Prague passed away on January 12, 2023. 
A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, July 16th from 12:00-3:00 at The Broz Event Center, 212 Main St W, New Prague, MN 56071.

Harrison Roger Blonigen received his Heavenly wings on Sunday, June 25, 2023, one day before his fifth birthday.
A visitation for Harrison will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 West First Street, Jordan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023, with visitation time prior from 9:30-11 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 24425 Old Highway Blvd, Jordan. Father Michael Miller will preside. He will be laid to rest at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.