(Fargo, ND) — A North Dakota National Guard Airman has died.
According to North Dakota National Guard officials, 2nd Lieutenant Shelly Fink died at her home in Barnesville, Minn., at the age of 33.
“The North Dakota National Guard extends our deepest condolences on the passing of Lt. Shelly Fink,” said Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, North Dakota’s Adjutant General. “Lt. Fink served her country and the State of North Dakota with a determination that could not be matched. She will be greatly missed.”
A native of Rutland, North Dakota, Fink has been a member of the 119th Wing’s Happy Hooligans since 2009.
“The entire Hooligan family is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own,” said Col. Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander. “We are heartbroken beyond words. Lt. Fink had such a huge personality and her infectious energy touched so many lives throughout the wing.”
She earned a bachelor‘s degree in University Studies from North Dakota State University in 2014. In her civilian occupation, she served as the Director of Growth for Hatch Realty in Fargo. Prior to that, she served full-time for the North Dakota Air National Guard as a recruiter from 2014-2022. She became a commissioned officer in 2022 and was serving as the 119th Wing Public Affairs Officer since 2023.
Funeral arrangements for Fink are pending.
