Teen remembered for faith, friendship

Published Monday, April 14, 2008

Jessica Weishair was remembered for her strong faith and sense of community Sunday during the funeral for the 16-year-old Pelican Rapids High school sophomore.

Weishair died April 5 from injuries sustained in a bus accident near Albertville while returning with other members of the high school band from a trip to Chicago.

“God has gathered us together here today as a community congregation,” said the Rev. Roger Rotvold, representing Faith Lutheran Church where the Weishair family worshipped. “Jessica knew how to love and we’re thankful for every minute of her life. In sharing our pain and sharing our faith here today, we can move forward. God promises to be with us.”

Weishar’s fellow high school band members performed during the hour-long ceremony that also included song leaders, eulogies, scriptural readings and hymn participation from the hundreds of people in attendance.

Two band members carried into the gymnasium a plant and flute, the instrument Jessica played, and set them down in an empty chair, in remembrance of their friend.

Patti Boen, a friend of the Weishar family, eulogized Jessica as a teenager who “liked being at home in the country with her family.”

She said Jessica always enjoyed being with her mother, Stacy, her father, Kim, older sister, Brooke, her brother, Jordan, and niece, Mariah. The love of family extended to her grandparents, Reuben and Fran Beyer of Barnesville and Mervin and Cleone Johnson of Eagle Bend and aunts, uncles and cousins.

“Jessica had a quiet confidence that came from having inner peace,” said Boen, who taught Jessica and other students as they prepared for confirmation as members of Faith Lutheran Church. “She was a beautiful person both inside and out.”

As a confirmation candidate, Weishair wrote about her own faith. Parts of the writing were read by Boen at the funeral Sunday afternoon.

“Being a Christian makes a difference in how I live,” Jessica wrote. “My faith will always be with me.”

Boen said that Jessica’s life was bright, full and happy. She had so many wonderful times, said Boen and others. An example is Jessica spending many hours cooking and baking with her Grandma Fran.

Jessica also had expressed an interest in becoming a pediatric nurse.

“From now on, Jessica will know peace,” Boen said, adding that if her former Confirmation pupil could return she’s be amazed and humbled by all of the love and respect coming her way.

“Jessica always was quiet and unassuming,” Boen said. “She would want us to miss her, but she would insist that each of us always have a smile on our face.”

Classmate Lauryn Paul, in a poem dedicated to her friend, said that Jessica had a wonderful smile and twinkle in her eye. “Now you’ve spread your wings for the whole world to see,” she said.

The Rev. Rotvold said that, during a time such as the events of the past several days, people are again prompted to ask the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

There is not a simple and easy answer to that question, he said. Rather, he urged those in attendance at the funeral to know that, “God wants us to focus on the good things — such as the wonderful people in Albertville — who were first responders following the bus accident.”

Many in attendance had tears in their eyes as the combined bands played, “Jesus Loves Me.” Special music was provided by Laura Hagen while people left the gymnasium at the end of the service. Hugs were commonplace following the ceremony.

Jessica’s final resting place is a Little Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Rothsay.