A memorial service will be held this afternoon (Aug. 19, 2022) for long-time American Medical Response Ambulance Service Operations Manager Kandace Kritz of Pierre. She passed away unexpectedly last week (Aug. 11, 2022) at Avera McKennan Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
Kritz took ambulance calls, field trained new paramedics and managed logistics and administrative duties for AMR’s Pierre operation.
AMR Operations Supervisor Matt Hardwick says Kritz contracted COVID a few months ago and died as a result of health complications from it. He says her death is considered a “line of duty death” which means she will receive a funeral with highest honors. AMR is bringing in employees from other locations in the country and local and state law enforcement, firefighters and paramedics will be taking part in a multi-agency honor guard recognizing Kritz’s 20+ years of service as an EMT and paramedic.
According to her obituary, Kritz planned to retire at the end of 2019, but delayed her plans because she knew she would be needed through the course of the pandemic. She wanted to make sure the system was stable before she left, and set a new retirement date for the end of 2022 to allow time to accomplish this goal. Due to Kritz’s tireless commitment and the city and county’s complete trust in her, AMR’s Pierre operation is now sustainable.
Kritz’s memorial service will be held at 1pm at the First United Methodist Church in Pierre with burial at Riverside Cemetery.
Courtesy photo.
So sorry to hear this. She was a big help to me many times in the past with my husband and a special friend. She also enjoyed playing guitar and singing. You will always be remembered by many!