Mr. and Mrs. Burrell Stein of Wayland have been selected as grand marshals of the 2017 Wayland Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.

“The chamber is honored to annually select the grand marshals to lead the annual parade started over 40 years ago by this year’s Co-Grand Marshal, Mr. Burrell Stein,” said Chamber Executive Director Denise Behm.  “Mr. and Mrs. Stein are true pillars in our community and we couldn’t be more excited to have them lead the Christmas parade.”

The Steins were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Salem and Burrell was drafted in the US Army later that year and served a tour in Germany until 1957. He joined the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce and is still an active member, currently serving as a chamber ambassador and working for chamber member Kubiak-Cook Funeral Services.

Stein opened the Wayland Carpet & Linoleum Store in 1969 at the corner of Pine and Main streets downtown. He sold it to Dave and Lynn Mandaville in 1987 when he became branch manager of United Bank in Wayland.

Phyllis raised their five daughters and four sons. Burrell likes to add that Phyllis raised their nine children and her one husband.

The Steins lived in Hopkins and in 1984 moved to Wayland and became active members in the community and at St. Therese Catholic Church. They said they fell in love with Wayland which led Burrell to run for mayor and he served in that position from 2004 until 2008.