A passenger airliner and military chopper crashed close to Washington, D.C., killing a Minnesota mother of two, leaving a path of tragedy and destruction in their wake.#Minnesota #St. Paul, Minnesota #News #Accident
A tragic mid-air crash in Washington, D.C., killed 67 people on board, including Wendy Jo Shaffer, a loving mother of two from Minnesota. A passenger airliner and a military helicopter collided on the plane’s final approach, resulting in a catastrophic disaster that left families and towns in mourning.
Shaffer died on Wednesday night after American Airlines aircraft 5342, which was departing from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a Black Hawk helicopter. People who knew her were surprised by her unexpected passing, and her community and beyond were rocked by grief.
A Life Rooted in Minnesota
Wendy Formerly Wendy Wigstrom, Jo Shaffer had strong Minnesota roots. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison after graduating from Mahtomedi High School, where she was an avid participant in ice hockey and other sports. Early on, her passion and drive were clear, and they accompanied her throughout her life.
Shaffer lived with her husband, Nathan Shaffer, and their two young sons, ages three and one, at the time of her untimely death. Since 2011, she has established a prosperous career at the food and agriculture behemoth Cargill, based in Minnesota, while juggling her roles as a devoted mother and wife.
Community Rallying Behind the Family
Following the tragedy, the Shaffer family was supported via a GoFundMe campaign. As friends, family, and strangers come together to support the bereaved family with burial expenses, daycare, and future school needs for her children, the fundraiser has raised $300,000 since it began on Thursday.
According to the organizers of the campaign, Wendy is the center of her family. Her loss was an intolerable reality since everyone who knew her sensed her warmth and affection. She was a loving spouse and a mother who took the most pride in her kids. She dreamed of seeing her boys develop into remarkable people, but this dream was sadly cut short.
Wendy’s family has asked for privacy as they deal with the overwhelming pain of losing someone so important to their lives, even as condolences flood in. Through her children, her family, and the innumerable others she touched, Wendy’s legacy will endure. The outpouring of love and support for those left behind is a testament to her life’s significant impact.
In order to fulfill Wendy’s wishes for her children and deal with their unfathomable loss, the money generated will assist her family move forward. The generosity of the community is a testament to the magnitude of her impact and the widespread sorrow following such a terrible loss. Learn more about GoFundMe here.
Associated Topics: Mishaps|Airlines|Minnesota|Kansas|Washington, D.C.
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