South Lake Tahoe woman among those killed, husband wounded in IHOP shooting

Florence Donovan-Gunderson and her husband Wally Gunderson, who split their time between Southern California and their home in the Tahoe Keys, were having breakfast at IHOP in Carson City Tuesday morning when a gunman shattered their lives forever.

According to a family friend, Florence was killed inside the restaurant, along with three Nevada National Guard members, while Wally was wounded. A man interviewed by KRNV 4 described how he applied first aid to Wally, while his wife was obviously killed instantly.

The Carson City Sheriff's Office held a news conference at 9 a.m. this morning to officially release the names of the victims.

Suzy Krzaczek, a teacher at South Tahoe Middle, said her and the victim's families had been close friends for more than 30 years. She said that Wally had called her mother yesterday from the hospital to take care of the couple's dog before he was wheeled into surgery.

"I will always remember her as being full of life. She had a lot more living to do it was really unfair," Krzaczek said. "She loved her kids and grandkids, she talked about them all the time, she was an amazing woman and good cook, a really good cook."

Krzaczek said Florrie and Wally were especially close to her father, Dale Sare of South Lake Tahoe, who died of cancer in 2008.

"Florrie and Wally were at mom's last week for dinner and brought me a coat for my son and me leftover carrot cake. I still have the dish," she said tearfully.

Krzaczek described them as "very giving people" who were active in the local Republican Party.

"They'd to get up early in the morning and go to Costco and Walmart and IHop...."

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The three other victims killed are:

Major Heath Kelly, 35, Reno, decorated field artillery officer, husband and father, commander of Joint Force Headquarters in Carson City, served in Iraq 2004-2005. Avid student of military history, known for his dry sense of humor.
Sgt. 1st Class Christian Riege, 38, Carson City, father of three, served in Afghanistan 2009-2010, also served in U.S Navy for two years before joining the Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Miranda McElhiney, 31, Reno, owner of a small baking company, well known in the company for providing cupcakes for guard functions