New London-Spicer Community Remembers Couple Killed In Plane Crash

NEW LONDON, Minn. (WCCO/AP) -- Officials say two people died Tuesday after a small plane on a flight from Tennessee crashed in the front yard of a home in central Florida.

Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman Andrew Gant said the plane crashed just before 6 p.m. Tuesday while approaching an airport in Port Orange.

The New London-Spicer School District in Minnesota confirmed that one of the two people killed was Deb Solsrud. Solsrud has two teenagers in the NLS school district and is an active member of the Parent-Teacher Organization. She served as the district's first PTO president and worked hard to fund raise for the schools to provide learning opportunities and new technology for the children.

Longtime friend, John Cola, spoke of Solsrud's love of the Green Bay Packers. The two had an ongoing bet that the loser of the border battle would wear the other team's jersey. Cola said she'll be remembered for her kind and giving spirit.

"She's just one of these people where it's hard to imagine that she's not around anymore, just such a fun, lively, person who was always willing to crack a joke," Cola said. "She's one of these community people in a smaller town, like New London-Spicer, it's hard to come by people like her."

According to Cola, Solsrud was dating Daryl Ingalsbe, the other victim killed in the plane crash.

The plane was registered to Independent Technologies, which is owned by Ingalsbe. Ingalsbe has homes in Willmar, Minnesota and Port Orange. Independent Technologies confirmed Ingalsbe died in the plane crash and released this statement:

Independent Technologies, Inc. suffered a tragic loss on Tuesday December 27th 2016 when our President, Daryl Ingalsbe, died in a plane crash near his home in Spruce Creek, Florida. We offer our sincerest condolences and prayers to Daryl's family, friends and his family of employees. We also offer sincerest condolences and prayers to the family and friends of his very good friend, Deb Solsrud of New London, Minnesota, who also died in the crash.

Sheriff Ben Johnson tells reporters it looked like the plane either stalled or came down in a spin. It narrowly missed a house, but no one on the ground was injured.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergan tells news outlets that the Epic LT single-engine craft left Millington Regional Jetport near Memphis, Tennessee, on Tuesday afternoon.

Sitting inside the New London-Spicer district office, Elementary School Principal Randy Juhl struggled to come to grips with Solsrud's loss.

"I believe I'm still kind of numb to the whole piece as this point," he said. "Deb was just one of those very incredible people."

Sitting next to him was current PTO President Audrey Renner.

"I just spoke to her a week ago. I've talked to plenty of people who have spoken to her the day before she left and she was so excited to be on this trip," said Renner.

Both beamed when talking about Solsrud's contributions to the district. They highlighted how she coordinated a Color Run race, which helped raise money for class field trips. She also wrote letters to apply for grants for the districts.

"Deb was always one of those people that was always asking 'What can I do to help make things better for you, for the kids at the elementary, for the teachers,'" said Juhl.

As much she strived to help all students, Renner said her priority was always her two teenage children.

"Her world was her kids and she wanted to be involved as much as she could," said Renner.

Students return to school Tuesday, Jan. 2. Juhl said counselors will be on hand to help students and staff.

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