wfn.org | ELCA Member Mourned by Family, Friends in Colorado

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 29, 1999

ELCA MEMBER MOURNED BY FAMILY, FRIENDS IN COLORADO
99-262-JB

     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. 23.  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