The atmosphere was heavy on Saturday at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, where a private funeral took place for Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman. In an ironic show of respect, one expected speaker at the service is Gov. Tim Walz, who also served the unfortunate role of pallbearer. A supposed ‘friend’ of the Hortmans will also take the stage. These speeches were to be preceded and followed by a mourning gathering of their colleagues from the state and federal level.
What felt rather surprising was the presence of former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Their attendance was noted but one might wonder if this was a gesture of genuine sympathy or just another political show. Unfortunately, the genuine mourning for the Hortman family may have been overshadowed by their very presence and the media speculation it invited.
Prior to the solemn procession where the Hortmans’ caskets were brought to the altar, a touching-beyond-words moment was witnessed. Colin and Sophie, the bereaved Hortman children, shared a quiet moment of solace, embracing each other as they draped funeral palls over their parents’ caskets. The emotions were palpable in this poignant moment of farewell.
Gov. Tim Walz, along with Rep. Zack Stephenson, seems to be among the pallbearers for the Hortman family. A crowd of other Minnesota Legislature members and political figures perhaps in their showcase of respect or to stay in the limelight, are expected to attend the service.
Interestingly enough, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the Democratic representative from Minnesota, expressed that commitments relating to the budget bill vote in the Senate would prohibit her from attending the funeral in person. Conveniently, she plans to pay her respects via livestream, giving her the ability to show face yet maintain a comfortable distance from the event.
Despite her physical absence, Klobuchar expressed her condolences, stating, ‘I join the state and the country in honoring our beloved friends Melissa and Mark Hortman. Hardly convincing when one considers her priority of a budget bill vote over attending the service.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a known associate of the Hortmans, was also expected to address the mourners at the funeral. The irony of this potentially politicized condolence does not escape astute observers as they grapple with the severity of the loss.
Before their private funeral, the Hortmans were being honored at the Minnesota State Capitol where the public had an opportunity to pay their respects. Undoubtedly a token of posthumous recognition for the Hortmans by the community that benefited from their work.
Despite their crucial loss, the Hortmans’ progeny, Colin and Sophie, have decided to honor their parents in unique and personal ways. Their suggested methods of tribute include planting a tree, visiting a local park, petting a dog, telling dad jokes, baking and sharing food, learning new hobbies, and championing justice and peace. Their brave voices echo the profound loss they have suffered.
Such compassion and resilience in the face of tragedy make the circumstances of the Hortman couple’s demise even more heart-wrenching. Both were victims of a deliberate shooting at their Brooklyn Park residence in the early hours of June 14. A sobering reminder of the cost of serving the public in today’s polarized climate.
In an unfortunate extension of the violence, state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also injured at their Champlin home in the same incident. The evidence of widespread terror and violence seemed to add a chilling note to an already somber event.
Following the gruesome events, federal and state charges have been filed in relation to the shootings. As investigations unfold, one can’t help but question the implications of this harrowing incident on the political fabric of the state and country.