Thomas Joseph O’Callaghan, age 94, of Farmington, formerly of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at his home.  Tom was born on October 9, 1930, in Chicago, IL, to James and Edna (Bunt) O’Callaghan.  He was a U.S.

A serious crash on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 11, left two vehicles, one towing a trailer with a vehicle on it, in disarray with at least one fatality, according to a press release by the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident happened at the intersection of Le Sueur County Roads 28 (320th Street) and 32 (211th Avenue) in rural Derrynane Township, about three miles north of Clear Lake (Lexington) at about 7:12 a.m. 

The New Prague Fire Department was flying a United States flag in front of its department the morning of Thursday, Sept. 11, in memory of the events that happened Sept. 11, 2001. This is the 24th anniversary of the terroristic attacks on American soil on Sept. 11, 2001, when two airplanes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, a third was flown into the Pentagon and a fourth airplane crashed in a rural Pennsylvania field, during a passenger revolt.

The New Prague Police Department reported Tuesday, Sept. 9, on its Facebook page, that at 10:50 a.m. law enforcement located a body suspected to be a young man reported missing since Sunday, Sept. 7. The body was located in a field within New Prague with the assistance of a law enforcement drone.

Information regarding the identity of the deceased and the cause of death will be released at a later date by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, said New Prague Police Chief Tim Applen in the press release. The incident remains under investigation said Applen.

Helen M. Tikalsky, age 84, of New Prague, died peacefully at home with her family at her side on Sunday, September 7, 2025.  Helen was born on April 19, 1941, in New Prague to Frank E. and Regina (Zaun) Bartyzal.  She graduated from New Prague High School and married her high school sweetheart, Daniel J. Tikalsky on January 3, 1959, in New Prague.

The search is on for a missing adult male, Logan Sampson, who has been missing since Sunday, Sept. 7. According to the New Prague Police Department’s Facebook website Sampson was last seen on camera at 1:30 a.m. near Phillips Parkway wearing a grey hoody and blue jeans or black jogging pants.

According to the Facebook group New Prague Happenings, he was possibly seen heading west on foot along Highway 19 towards Union Hill around 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning. The same post stated a search party was started at 6:45 a.m. Monday morning, Sept. 8.

Lucine “Cinie” Wendorf, July 10, 1931 – August 28, 2025

Shonna M.

In honor of David Gary Malecha, a celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

Location: 18956 400th St, Le Center, MN 56057.

All Family & Friends Welcomed.

Angela A. “Angie” Simon, age 94, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Angie was born on July 13, 1931, in New Prague, to Benjamin J. and Emma (Turek) Novak.  She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and graduated from New Prague High School in 1949.

Ken and Lana Witt of New Prague were recently named the grand marshals for Dozinky’s Parade of Farm Pride.

The couple have been pillars of the New Prague community for decades, according to the New Prague Chamber of Commerce.

Ken and Lana Witt will lead the Parade of Farm Pride, Saturday, Sept. 20, at noon, along New Prague’s Man Street. The parade is part of Dozinky, the city’s Czech harvest festival being held Thursday evening, Sept. 18, through Saturday.

Evelyn Marie (Stepka) Scheffler, age 98, of rural New Prague, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025, at Traditions of Montgomery, where she has resided for 5 years.

Evelyn was born May 23, 1927, to John and Barbara (Hanzal) Stepka, at New Prague Community Hospital. She was the 2^nd of 7 children and was raised on the family farm in Helena Twp, Scott Co. near St. Catherine’s. She graduated from New Prague H.S. in 1945.  Soon after, she began working at Montgomery Ward’s in St. Paul. 

Darryl Henry Peterson, age 77, of New Prague, died peacefully at his home with his family at his side on Thursday, August 28, 2025. He was born on June 5, 1948, in Virginia, MN, to Henry Oscar and Averie Ann (Poupard) Peterson, Jr.

Darryl retired from the US Army Reserve as a Master Sergeant after 29 years of service and from the Minnesota State Patrol as a Lieutenant after 24 years of service.

David Klimp, 73, of The Villages, Florida, formerly of New Prague, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2025, with his family by his side following a prolonged illness with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

As a student growing up, she never enjoyed art classes. “The art teacher always told us what we should do and how we should do it,” Beth Vander Heiden said.

Today, the New Prague photographer is her own artist. She uses the earth and night sky as her pallets, creating images using a blend of a keen eye for light, shape and color and unshakable patience.

Michael Bassett passed away on August 25, 2025, after a courageous battle with illness. He was born on March 25, 1980.

Michael is survived by his wife, Stacy Bassett, and his two daughters, Julia and Taylor Bassett. He will be remembered with love by his family, friends, and colleagues.

A private service will be held in accordance with the family’s wishes.