Staff photo by Fritz Busch Mike Finstad of New Ulm, right, tends hot irons used to carmelize drinks with David Weidner of Hector at New Ulm’s Baggin’ in the Street Bean Bag Tournament in January 2024.

NEW ULM — If you’ve ever been to the New Ulm Parade of Lights downtown in late November, you may remember seeing Santa Claus waving at everybody.

That was Mike Finstad.

He also dresses up like Santa Claus for the Santa in the Summer event at the Brown County Fairgrounds and law enforcement Shop With a Hero.

He has done many different jobs and volunteered for many public events in this life. He enjoys volunteering so much, he won’t stop.

“Yes, I’ve volunteered a lot. Somebody has to do it. I don’t have a favorite volunteering job. I like them all. I do what I can. Sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day,” Finstad said.

He was commander of New Ulm’s Chapter 15 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) until Paul Wojahn was elected the chapter’s latest commander, making him the oldest DAV commander in Minnesota and the United States at 104 years old.

Also a Mason, Shriner, and a VFW and American Legion member, Finstad had two knees replaced two years ago. He volunteered at Schell’s Brewery for 31 years as a shuttle bus driver and poked drinks with hot iron at the Baggin’ In the Street corn hole tournament downtown.

A retired Army Staff Sergeant with 22 years service, he served in Gulf War I.

Finstad does other volunteering most people may not know about.

“Paul Wojahn and I often go on road trips, helping veterans when we can,” he said.

Finstad worked at Lindy’s Collection Service for six years, at Martin Luther College for 11 years, Jack Links in Mankato, hauled fertilizer for the cooperative and drove semi for himself.

“I delivered brand new garbage and cement trucks all over the U.S. for two years. That was probably the most enjoyable job I had,” he said.

A New Ulm High School graduate, he worked as an Army mechanic in the Iraq War, Gulf War I and the Granada Invasion.

“When we first got there, we were in mortar attacks 30 to 40 times a day. But we all came back. I never got hit, so I didn’t get a Purple Heart Medal, which was fine with me,” said Finstad. “We were about 30 miles away from the burning oil wells Middle East. Actually, all the smoke in the air there made it about 25 degrees cooler for us.”

He also enjoys woodworking, hunting and fishing.

Finstad talked about the need for volunteers.

“Everybody should find time to donate to the needy. Get out there and volunteer for the Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, American Legion. I’m 61 and I’m one of the younger guys that show up for DAV events,” he said.