Dash and Jace Beussman Nelson, ten and seven years old respectively, have run a lemonade stand since 2020 in Carver. Since the beginning, they have wanted to use the lemonade stand to give back.

“We decided it was a good idea because I wanted some new stuff at our playground,” Dash Beussman Nelson said. “Lemonade stand popped up in my mind and we decided to do it. We sometimes come up with [where we’ll donate]. Other times we do it for the most recent thing we’ve gone to.”

This year was hard on the Beussman Nelson brothers and their mother Erin, as their father and grandpa Bob Beusmann died March 6, 2023. Bob Beussman served as New Ulm’s mayor for 11 years, starting in 2010. He resigned in April 2021 due to health concerns. He was also a school teacher and musician.

The Comrades of Valor aided the Beussman Nelson family with Bob Beussman’s funeral. To honor him and thank the group for what they did, this year’s lemonade stand donation went to them. A total of $300.61 was presented to Treasurer Mel Stadick.

Dash Beussman Nelson and Comrades of Valor (COV) treasurer Mel Stadick hold the $300 donation together. The COV does not know yet what it will do with the money, but new uniforms was a suggested idea.

The money was raised during only one Friday afternoon. Dash Beussman Nelson said there were several things they did to raise the money that fast.

“First of all, our friend also helps,” he said. “He had to school so he couldn’t be here. We grab instruments and whenever we see cars coming near our way we yell lemonade.”

“Jace this year decided to dress up in full army gear,” Erin Beussman Nelson said. “He had a full military uniform on trying to attract attention. And they also make a big wonderful sign. Now we’ve done this for three years, our neighbors and our neighborhood know we’re doing this and they’re very generous.”

Ron Wendinger surprised the boys with American flag lapels and a plaque, commemorating the donation and it’s honoring of Bob Beussman. To end the ceremony Jace Beussman Nelson saluted the Comrades of Valor group. The group did not hesitate to salute back.

Wendinger said it is too soon to know what the money will be spent toward. A possibility raised by several members is for new uniforms. Dash Beussman Nelson hopes people in New Ulm follow the idea and have lemonade stands of their own.

Ron Wendinger presents a plaque to Dash (middle) and Jace Beussman Nelson (left) commemorating their donation in the memory of Bob Beussman.

“When people are hot, they can go around and find all the lemonade,” he said. “Donate the money to a nearby school, park, something you would like to donate to.”