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Texas accident claims Waukon nursing student

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WAUKON - In life, Lindsey McMillan was a giving person, dedicated to the service of others.

And after her untimely death, McMillan's giving spirit continues.

The 20-year-old University of Iowa nursing sophomore died Tuesday from injuries after she was thrown from a vehicle Monday as she and fellow students headed to Corpus Christi and South Padre Island, Texas, for spring break.

Her heart now beats in a 52-year-old man who recently came down with an infection in his heart, said Lindsay's mother, Susan McMillan of Waukon. Her left kidney went to a 13-year-old boy.

Lindsey McMillan also donated her liver and pancreas, she said.

"With her giving spirit, she had made it clear on prior discussions with family that she wished to be an organ donor. That was not a difficult decision for us because we knew that's what she wanted," her mother said.

She said her daughter had talked about it several times, the topic apparently sparked by the donor designation question posed when she got her driver's license.

Some 350 people turned out this week for a prayer service at St. Patrick's Church in Waukon in Lindsey's honor.

"We're doing OK. It's hard, but we've had tremendous community support," Susan McMillan said.

In addition to her mother and father, Mike McMillan, she leaves behind a brother, Matt, 18, and a sister, Chelsea, 15.

In high school, she was on the student council and cheerleading squad. In 2005 she was homecoming queen.

After high school, she decided to go into nursing.

"She liked to do things for other people, and I'm a nurse practitioner, so I think that probably had some influence as well," her mother said.

Between her studies, she volunteered at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Lindsey McMillan loved to travel. She had been to Italy, Mexico and Canada. This was her first spring break trip with college acquaintances.

The group, nine in all, came from UI and the University of Northern Iowa and traveled in two vehicles. Lindsay McMillan was a backseat passenger in the lead vehicle, which held five people, as they headed south on Interstate 37.

At 4:30 p.m. Monday, about 76 miles north of Corpus Christi, the vehicle's rear tire blew, Susan McMillan said.

The driver apparently lost control, and the vehicle went into the grassy median where it rolled,

Lindsey McMillan and two others were ejected. A man who was thrown remains in intensive care with head injuries in a San Antonio hospital.

Lindsey McMillan was flown to a hospital, also with head injuries. She never regained consciousness and died Tuesday, her mother said.

Alcohol wasn't a factor in the accident.

Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Church.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.

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