Susan Kathleen Straiton, 72, of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, at The Lutheran Home. 

Susan was born on February 23, 1954, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Tom and Monica Straiton. She graduated from New Prague High School in 1972 and later attended the University of Minnesota, where she studied graphic design and developed a lifelong love of art and creating her own artwork. 

Jessica Karin Riedy (née Nordstrom), age 45, of North Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on March 4, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. Jessica was born on June 1, 1980, in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, to Todd Nordstrom and Donna King (née Harshman). She always cherished her youth in Minnesota, graduating from New Prague High School before earning undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota (BS, Speech and Hearing Science) and UM Duluth (MA, Speech and Language Pathology).

Timothy Paul Nelson passed away peacefully at Our Lady of Peace hospice on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the age of 58.

Timmy was born to Donald and Rosalyn Nelson on June 1, 1967 in New Prague, MN.
He was the second youngest of six children. He grew up in Jordan, MN, and graduated from Jordan High School.

Lorraine J. Barta, age 89, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026.

While New Prague High School’s boys’ basketball’s season came to an end Wednesday, March 4, its final two games of the regular season were against Waconia and Chanhassen. NPHS faced Waconia Friday, Feb. 27, with an 83-73 loss. On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Trojans had a difficult game against Chanhassen ending with a 73-63 loss.

Wednesday, March 4, the Trojans had their first and only game of the Section 1 Class AAAA tournament.

Waconia 83, Trojans 73

New Prague High School’s had a strong showing at the 2026 MSHSL (Minnesota State High School League) State Wrestling Tournament last weekend as Azalea “Z” Kallal (girls, 106 pounds) repeated winning the state title. Joining her in first place was Rhilynn Tolzman (girls, 100 pounds) in her first state appearance. Charlie Wagner (boys, Class AA, 107 pounds) also made his first state appearance at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, taking fourth. Aeralyn Palmer (girls 118 pounds) fought hard and went 1-2 for her first state appearance.

She didn’t have to accept the invitation. She could have passed on the offer to accept the money and let somebody else put it to good use.

Cora Goldade is more interested in doing what she can to make the world a little better place. Her hope is people will turn prayer into action, action used to eventually curb gun violence. It’s a big project, one she knew was worthwhile given the experience of a friend.

NP falls to champs in Saturday semifinal round

Rebounding from a tough loss in the semifinal round to the tournament’s eventual champion, the New Prague Trojans’ floor hockey team took third-place honors at the Minnesota State High School League’s floor hockey tournament at Bloomington Jefferson High School.

Nearly 30 students from Eagle View Elementary arrived at school in four-alarm style Wednesday, Feb. 26, and Wednesday, March 4, courtesy of the Elko New Market Fire and Police departments. The rides were prizes in the school’s February Read-aThon fundraiser.

“They loved it. They had fun,” said Eagle View Elementary Principal Adam Dittberner about the students’ rides. The trips from the fire and police departments to the school were among a number of incentives the school offered to students during the read-a-thon, Dittberner said.

Cub Scout Pack 323 held its Pinewood Derby Sunday, March 1, at the New Prague Park Ballroom.

Cub Master Ted Hefty said there were 27 cars entered by Lion members who are in kindergarten and Arrow of Light who are in fifth grade. Pack members are given wood blocks to carve into cars and attach the wheels to.

Helping with the event was Warren Kalsow of Apple Valley, who provided the electronics for the races and the track. “We do it frequently,” said Kalsow, noting his group has...

David Peter Flaherty, formally of New Prague, MN, passed away in Phoenix, AZ, on January 17, 2026. Born to John and Gertrude on September 9, 1957, David loved God, his Harley, and Maggie.

Proceeded in death by father, John; mother, Gertrude & stepfather, Donald Wilkins; brother Terrence. Survived by brothers Steven (Sandy), Joseph (Kathy), John, and many nieces & nephews. Also survived by his special dog, Maggie, whom he loved with all his heart.

New Prague’s Carter DenHartog, No. 5, center, breaks through Farmington’s defense on a drive to the basket, Wednesday evening, March 4, at Farmington. The Trojans battled, but their season ended with an 82-47 loss in the first game of the Section 1AAAA boys basketball tournament. The New Prague Trojans were the No. 7 seed and the Farmington Tigers were the No. 2 seed. New Prague battled, going on a scoring spree at the end of the first half. Farmington led 42-31 at intermission and outscored New Prague in the second half, 40-16, for a tough end to the season.

Judith “Judi” Ann Miller passed away peacefully, with grace and dignity, at home on February 26, 2026. She was surrounded by family and dear friends. She was 77 years old.

Steven Hruby, age 58, of Le Center, passed away surrounded by his family on March 1, 2026, at Mala Strana in New Prague.

Joseph James Bendzick, 68, of Waxahachie, Texas, formerly of New Prague, passed away on February 10, 2026, due to a fatal car accident. Joe was born on 09/07/57 to Ervin & Audrey Bendzick in New Prague, MN.

He attended St. Wenceslaus School and then New Prague High School where he graduated in 1975.

Joe married Donna Pumper in 1979 and they had 2 sons together, Christopher and Adam.

They later divorced.

The New Prague City Council at its Tuesday, Feb. 17, meeting approved a resolution where city staff will request an advancement of $950,000 from the state for the city’s municipal state aid street construction funds.