HAM LAKE, Minn. – A beloved second grade teacher is being remembered as a passionate and loving educator. 54-year old Norene Callahan died in a violent car crash Friday morning in Ham Lake on her way to Isanti Primary School where she taught.
“She’s got this huge smile and that’s pretty indicative what Mrs. Callahan brought to the classroom and to the school,” said Cambridge-Isanti Superintendent Bruce Novak.
Investigators believe the Shoreview woman hit a patch of icy road on Lexington Avenue. She lost control, skidded into on-coming traffic and hit a pickup truck. She died on scene.
“The principal called me and said we’re very concerned something is not right here,” said Novak.
For 31-years Callahan taught at Isanti Primary School and for three decades she always showed up on time.
Her twin sister also teaches in the district and like every morning, they were supposed to car pool into work, but Callahann ever made it.
“The door is closed and certainly my emotions shouldn’t come out, but it’s been a tough day,” he said while wiping away tears from his face.
He wasn’t the only one.
Callahan’s students learned of their beloved teacher’s death in school. Parents were invited in to help their children cope with the loss.
Jenni Strike, who works at the school, says it was heartbreaking to see the children’s faces.
“It’s a devastating loss to the Isanti family. She was an amazing, amazing lady,” said Strike.
An amazing lady that touched generations of students, but now the current generation has to cope with the fact she won’t be cheering them on with that infectious smile any longer.
“Many of them were still asking when will Mrs.Callahan be back? Will she be back on Tuesday? So you have to help them through that, she won’t be back,” said Novak. “It is truly a tragic loss for our community.
Callahan is survived by her husband and two grown children. Our Personal Injury and Accident Law Firm represents clients throughout the State of Minnesota, including the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, as well as Rochester, Saint Cloud, Mankato, and Duluth. Our experienced and dedicated Minneapolis and Saint Paul legal professionals handle personal injury and wrongful death cases in areas that include car accidents, truck accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, workers’ compensation, DUI accidents, medical malpractice, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents.
To learn more about this Minneapolis Personal Injury Law Firm, call 612-234-PAIN (7246) or use or convenient online contact form.
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