Neighbors and friends,
We continue to mourn the losses of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and their Golden Retriever Gilbert, who were killed June 14 in an unspeakable act of political violence. Speaker Hortman leaves an enormous legacy of steadfast leadership and a record of transformational results to make Minnesota work better for everyone. She was passionate about her state, her community, and particularly, her family.
This Friday, June 27, between noon and 5 p.m., Melissa and Mark Hortman, along with Gilbert, will lie in state. Members of the public are invited to come to the State Capitol Rotunda to pay their respects during that time. Melissa will be the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state in the Capitol.
On Saturday, June 28 at 10:30 a.m., a private funeral will take place. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety will livestream the services on its YouTube channel. TPT 2 will air the funeral on TV, too.
As we honor the memories of Mark and Melissa, we also hold John, Yvette, and Hope Hoffman close in our hearts and continue to hope for their full recovery. They were also victims of an assault in their home the same morning.
If you’re able and willing, please consider contributing financially to both families during this unthinkably difficult time. Sophie and Colin Hortman lost both of their parents, and a GoFundMe supporting them as they navigate the path forward is available here.
The Fernbrook Elementary School PTO, where Yvette Hoffman serves as a support professional, has set up a GoFundMe to support her and John in their recovery.
On the Monday, after their parents were murdered, Sophie and Colin Hortman released this statement:
“We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our parents, Melissa and Mark. They were the bright lights at the center of our lives, and we can’t believe they are gone. Their love for us was boundless. We miss them so much.
“We want everyone to know that we are both safe and with loved ones. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received, and we appreciate your respect for our family’s privacy as we grieve.
“Our family would like to thank law enforcement for their swift action that saved others and for the coordination across communities that led to the arrest of the man who murdered our parents. We especially would like to thank the officers who were first on the scene to our parents’ home and their heroic attempts to rescue our mom and dad.
“Our parents touched so many lives, and they leave behind an incredible legacy of dedication to their community that will live on in us, their friends, their colleagues and co-workers, and every single person who knew and loved them.
“If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following:
- Plant a tree.
- Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail.
- Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.
- Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it.
- Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone.
- Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something.
- Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.
“Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”
Let’s carry forward Melissa’s legacy by choosing kindness, showing care, and leading with love – for each other and for our beloved state of Minnesota.
In solidarity,
Cheryl Youakim
State Representative