Jelsing Memorial Car Show honors late community member | News, Sports, Jobs

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Mary Jelsing, left, holds a photo of her late husband, Dwight Jelsing, and stands with her nephew, Bryan Saba, right, who earned the People’s Choice Award at the 2022 Dwight Jelsing Memorial Car Show.

On Sunday, July 21, the community will come together to honor the late Dwight Jelsing, a beloved member of the community. The Rugby Car Club alongside Jelsing’s daughters will host the 5th annual Dwight Jelsing Memorial Car Show at Ellery Park.

“He liked his cars and he liked that it brought people together,” said Christy Jelsing, daughter of the honoree.

Christy Jelsing said her father was an avid car guy his entire life, like his father before him. Dwight Jelsing had a long career in the automotive industry and held many positions at M J McGuire, from selling cars to managing the parts department. Upon his retirement, Christy Jelsing joked that after a few weeks of not working he got bored so he picked up a job at Hardware Hank.

“People loved to go in and just visit with him – we were told that at his funeral, and even before he passed away, people would say ‘I just love stopping in at the hardware store whether I’m picking up paint or grabbing something for hunting, your dad is always so fun to visit with.’ He really made good connections,” she said.

She said if there ever was an upset customer at the hardware store the owners would send Dwight Jelsing to speak with them because he could always calm them down.

“He was just great to be around. He made everyone feel loved – no judgment. The community came out in full force at his funeral. … As sad as it is, it was just so good to see how loved he was and the community shows us that every year by coming to this and remembering him during this car show. You don’t know you have such an impact on people until they’re gone,” she said.

In its start in 2020 just a few cars were entered into the show, but last year it grew to more than 50 cars from North Dakota and Canada.

The event is free to the public and all proceeds raised are being donated to the Children’s Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for children’s hospitals in the United States and Canada.

This year there will be live music by the band Open Road.

Christy Jelsing said the great turnout of people coming together to honor her father means a lot to her and that she is grateful for the continued support for this event.