CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Carla June Hochhalter, the mother of a Columbine High School student severely wounded in last April's shooting at the school, was remembered by family and friends at an overflow funeral service attended by 650 people Oct. 27 at Christ Lutheran Church, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Hochhalter, 48, ended her own life Oct. 22. She entered an Englewood, Colo., pawn shop, asked to see a gun and fatally shot herself after loading it with ammunition she brought with her. The Hochhalter family has attended Christ Lutheran, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregation for eight years, said the Rev. David J. Jensen, pastor.
News of Hochhalter's suicide resulted in numerous calls to grief hotlines and visits to grief counselors by people in the community shaken by this latest event related to the April 20 tragedy at Columbine.
After the shooting, relatives of the Hochhalter family revealed she had suffered from depression dating back to 1996, following the deaths of her brother-in-law and mother.
Her death came as the family was resettling in a refurbished house. Just recently, Ann Marie, Hochhalter's daughter, had become able to move her legs slightly. The school shooting damaged her spinal column and left her unable to move her legs. Ann Marie was hospitalized for several weeks before she was discharged.
In addition to Ann Marie, Carla Hochhalter is survived by her husband, Ted, and a 15-year-old son, Nathan.
Jensen asked reporters to remain outside during the funeral service, but spoke with reporters on the family's behalf after it concluded. Jensen said Carla used to read the Psalms, which he described as her favorite scripture, the Denver Post reported. Jensen cited the 11th Psalm, "In the Lord, I take refuge."
"Carla, I believe, 'took refuge in the Lord,'" Jensen said to the Post. He also said he has encouraged the family to talk about their concerns, "and that Christ comes to that," he added.
Among those attending the service were several local school and public officials, including Colorado Gov. Bill Owens and his wife, Frances.
"The congregation has really risen up and been supportive of the Hochhalter family," Jensen said in a phone interview before the service. At the congregation's regular services Oct. 24, Jensen said he reminded the congregation of all they've done to help the family since Ann Marie was wounded, including such things offering prayers, making phone calls, sending cards, providing food, helping to remodel their home, doing household chores and helping with Ann Marie's care. He told the congregation about their service to the family in the context of the Bible story of the Good Samaritan,
"Those little bits of mercy have been enough to keep them going on their journey," he said. "That's what gives us the power to be Good Samaritans, to offer little bits of mercy."
Jensen and others have been regularly working with the family. In recent weeks the family was considering returning to church for the first time since Ann Marie was wounded, Jensen said.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
