Former President Joe Biden, former vice -president Kamala Harris, and governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, were in the front row at the funeral service for killed legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.
The private service in the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, which became live stream on Saturday, the Hortmans and their dog, Gilbert, were resting.
The former speaker of the House of Minnesota and her husband were shot and killed in their house in Brooklyn Park on 14 June in a targeted attack linked to a broader plot against Democratic officials of the state.
Dressed as a police officer, suspected shooting vessel, 57, reportedly killed the Hortmans and the democratic state of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, seriously injured, in a separate attack that night. He is accused of state and federal crimes.
Gilbert, the Golden Retriever of the Hortman, was also injured in the attack and was later euthanized. His urn was on Friday in the middle of their boxes in the Rotunda of the Capitol building in St. Paul, that visited Biden.
Biden embraces a rourner after viewing the boxes of Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark Hortman and their dog Gilbert while they were able to in the Rotunda of the Capitol building in St. Paul, Minesota on Friday (Getty Images) (Getty Images)
The former president also spoke with an emotional group after viewing the boxes on Friday.
The Hortmans are survived by their adult children, Sophie and Colin Hortman, the parents of Mark, J. Carroll Hortman and Ruth Russell-Stern, and the parents of Melissa, Harry and Linda Haluptzok.
Melissa Hortman was a 55-year-old married mother of two (Minnesota legislature)
Walz was the first to deliver his praise, who started his speech, “I was watching the speaker's rostrum here, and I asked where I should speak. Melissa would soon remember me: 'One day outside the year, you speak to the speaker's rostrum, and only with my invitation. “So I know my place. “
“Melissa Hortman will be remembered as the most consistent speaker in the history of Minnesota. I can remember her as a good friend, a mentor and the most talented legislator I have ever known,” Walz added.
Harris, Biden and Walz were at the front of the church for the service (via Reuters)
The beloved dog Gilbert of the couple, who died days after the attack of his wounds, was also honored with the service (the Minnesota Star Tribune)
Walz continued: “Admittedly, I never talked much politics to mark. I tried and got a technical tip from him, but we usually have a bond with our love for that sweet, sweet 80s music. He really appreciated.”
Family friend, lawyer Robin Ann Williams, shared a humorous story about Melissa Hortman, who cherished more than 15 almost identical beige paint samples for her kitchen.
“Mark and Melissa were colorful people in many ways, but their kitchen is still beige to this day,” said Williams.
Colin Hortman, accompanied by his fiancé, closed the ceremony with a prayer.
