Honorees

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Year Honored
1999
Honoree
Shannon F Nolte
Agency
Sioux Valley Hospital Intensive Air
Agency City
Sioux Falls
Agency State
SD
Last Call
8/20/98
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
Shannon Nolte was a loving fiance with a zest for life and the outdoors. She was an avid bike rider and loved riding her horse. She cared for the injured and sick but those words don't begin to describe the amazing powers that flowed from this 30- year-old's fingers, co-workers say. Shannon never thought twice about the dangers of her job. "She could hold the hand of an old person who had nothing more than a sore knee, but who was probably scared, and make it all right with them," said fellow paramedic, Matt McQuisten. A special friend, Harlan Vandekieft, remembered her as "a good person, very kind, loving and caring."<br /> <br /> Shannon worked as a paramedic for Rural Metro Medical Services since 1994 and became a member of the Valley Intensive Air Transport Team in January of 1997. She was active on the Rural Metro Quality Assurance Team. She worked at the Cliff Avenue Greenhouse, Children's Care Hospital, Children's Home Society, and as an EMT for the Sioux Falls Detoxification Center. On August 20, 1998, the Sioux Valley Hospital helicopter she was riding in crashed on its way to Spencer, Iowa, killing her and two others.<br /> <br /> Shannon was preceded in death by her mother, Marlene, and her niece, Ashley. She is survived by her father, Jerry Nolte, a sister, brother, and nephews. She leaves behind her beloved fiance, Harlan Vandekieft, and his son, Matthew.<br /> <br /> Honored 1999