MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers has ordered flags at half staff in Wisconsin until this Saturday evening, in honor of Ixonia first responder Captain Kelly Raether, who died on Thanksgiving Day following a weeks-long battle with COVID-19.
Forty-two-year-old Raether was with the Town of Ixonia Fire and EMS in Jefferson County since 2005. Chief David Schilling told TMJ4's Stephanie Haines on Mondaythat "there's no replacing her."
"It's still hard to imagine that the locker will remain empty and she's just not going to be my partner," Schilling said.
Evers, in a statement Thursday, wrote that "Raether served her community every day with astounding courage and selflessness."
“This is a devastating loss and we send our deepest condolences to Capt. Raether’s family and the Ixonia community. While our first responders are always prepared to run towards danger, let this be a reminder to all of us how critical our actions are in helping to keep them safe during this pandemic," according to the governor.
Executive order #96 is effective immediately and ends at sunset on Sat., Dec. 5, 2020.