School copes with loss of 18-year-old

• Lance Lundsten

Lance Lundsten

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Alexandria School District 206 is coping with the unexpected death of an 18-year-old student.

Lance Lundsten, a senior at Jefferson High School, died Saturday.

According to preliminary autopsy results that were shared with the family, Lundsten had cardiac edema, a medical condition caused by an enlarged heart.

There was no evidence that drugs or alcohol played any role in the death, according to a family member interviewed Tuesday by the newspaper. The family was told that it would be six to eight weeks before complete toxicology results are determined.

At 9:54 p.m. Saturday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a medical emergency at Lundsten’s home in rural Miltona where he lived with his grandparents, Lance and Karen Lundsten.

Sheriff’s deputies, North Ambulance, Miltona First Responders and the Parkers Prairie Ambulance responded. Lundsten was transported by ambulance to the Douglas County Hospital, where he later died.

Lundsten and his family moved to Miltona when he was in 4th grade. He played soccer at Discovery Middle School and received a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He did well in academics and last year traveled to France with his French class, family members said.

Playing piano was a big part of his life. He started playing it at age 5 and participated in many recitals. He also visited assisted living facilities and entertained residents with his music, family members said.

On Tuesday, students and staff at School District 206 were dealing with the loss.

Superintendent Terry Quist said that counseling services were made available to students at Jefferson High School beginning Tuesday, the first day of school after the Martin Luther King Day holiday, and will continue for as long as necessary.

Quist said that the Jefferson High School crisis team met Monday to plan for the return of students and how best to support their emotional needs as they come to terms with the tragedy.

He added that it is important that students have an opportunity to talk.

“We want to make the day as normal as possible,” he said in an e-mail to all district staff. “Give your students time to process, assure them that there are adults to talk to if they are having a tough day…Today, and in the days ahead, we need to pull together and honor Lance’s memory.”

Funeral services for Lundsten were held Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

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