Curt & Mary Wilson

2026 Stiftungsfest Parade Grand Marshals

Curt and Mary Wilson, this year’s Stiftungsfest Grand Marshals, are certainly no strangers to the residents of Norwood Young America. Mary was born and raised in NYA, and she and Curt have called the community home throughout their married life. Together, they raised their two children, Sarah and Matt, here and have spent decades giving back to the community they call home.

When Stiftungsfest incorporated in 1996, Curt became involved as a member of the Stiftungsfest Committee—a role he proudly continues in today. Mary’s involvement with the festival grew through her work as District #108’s Community Education Director. She successfully applied for grants that helped establish a Heritage Tent at Stiftungsfest. Through another round of grant funding, the Heritage Tent later became the Kinder Tent, creating a special place for children and families during the festival.

A local children’s choir was formed to perform German songs under the Kinder Tent during Stiftungsfest, helping celebrate and preserve the community’s German heritage. During this time, Mary joined the Stiftungsfest Committee, where she scheduled activities for the Kinder Tent and later coordinated the Mini Tractor Pull. Curt was right there beside her, building a special entrance to the tent and adding German decorations to help bring the space—and the festival’s heritage—to life.

For decades, Curt has also helped make sure Stiftungsfest is ready to welcome thousands of visitors each year. On Wednesday afternoon before the festival, he coordinates members of the Central Football Team to help with festival setup. Once the celebration is underway, Curt’s days begin extremely early as he organizes members of the National Honor Society to clean the festival grounds each morning, ensuring everything is ready for another busy day of Stiftungsfest fun. Year after year, Curt has quietly coordinated these important behind-the-scenes efforts—jobs that may happen before most festivalgoers arrive, but make a tremendous difference in keeping Stiftungsfest running smoothly.

Remarkably, Curt and Mary accomplished all of this while working their regular jobs—Mary with the school district and the Carver County Library System, and Curt as manager of Lano Lanes Bowling Alley. Their dedication to Stiftungsfest has always been a labor of love, woven into their everyday lives and their commitment to Norwood Young America.

And their volunteer spirit certainly doesn’t end when Stiftungsfest weekend is over…

Mary serves as the organist at Ascension Church and is involved with both the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries. When the school district decided to host “All Class Reunions,” Mary’s organizational talents were once again put to work. All Class Reunions were held in 1992, 2000, and 2011, bringing generations of graduates together to reconnect and celebrate their shared ties to the community.

Curt serves as an election judge during election years and has also devoted countless hours to the Norwood Indians baseball team. When the team rebuilt its baseball field, Curt was there to lend a hand wherever he could. Today, you can still find him at the ballpark giving his time—announcing games, selling tickets, or working in the concession stand.

Curt’s dedication to the community received special recognition in 2015. As part of the Stiftungsfest Ambassador Program festivities, representatives from the Minneapolis Aquatennial participate in the annual coronation. Prior to the 2015 coronation, Aquatennial representatives introduced a special recognition: the Honorary Aquatennial Commodore.

Curt became the first person from our community to receive this honor, recognizing his many years of volunteer service and dedication to Norwood Young America.

For Curt and Mary, community service has never been about recognition. It has been about showing up, pitching in and doing what needs to be done. Whether organizing activities, preserving Stiftungsfest traditions, setting up festival grounds, supporting local students, serving their church and veterans’ organizations, helping at the ballpark, or bringing classmates together, Curt and Mary have spent decades making a difference in Norwood Young America.

Their dedication, generosity and community spirit embody what Stiftungsfest is all about—a celebration of heritage, tradition, friendship and the people who make Norwood Young America such a special place to call home.

It is with great pride that we celebrate Curt and Mary Wilson as the 2026 Stiftungsfest Grand Marshals!