ST. PAUL-In remembrance of Emergency Medical Technician Marina DeSteno Challeen, Gov. Mark Dayton ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the state from sunrise until sunset Wednesday, Oct. 18, according to a release from Dayton's office.
DeSteno Challeen, 24, was raised in Stillwater and graduated from Stillwater Area High School and the University of Minnesota. She died Monday in a tragic collision when the ambulance in which she was riding collided with a semitrailer in Brooklyn Center.
The state of Minnesota recognizes DeSteno Challeen for her dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, her fellow residents of Minnesota, with its deepest gratitude, the release stated.
A celebration of her life will be Wednesday at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi.
At the direction of the governor, Minnesota flies its flags at half-staff following the death of Minnesota first responders killed in the line of duty, on the day of interment.
