The family of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman is speaking out for the first time since Saturday's deadly shooting in Brooklyn Park that left Hortman and her husband Mark dead. Another Minnesota lawmaker and his wife were seriously injured.
Hortman's mother, Linda Haluptzok, tells CBS News that Melissa kept a prayer tucked inside a small wallet that she carried with everywhere.
"Make me a channel of your peace, yes," describes Haluptzok. "And it was well worn and it was in that simple little wallet, with just the only necessary things that she had to carry. It was - it was who she was."
So far funeral and memorial plans have not been announced. A vigil is planned for Wednesday evening at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.
Melissa's father, Harry Haluptzok talked about how his daughter was a respected figure in Minnesota.
"A number of people have called us that competed against her, and and just spoke so highly of how she treated them," he explains. "And she remembered the golden rule, always. And that's the way she lived her life and we're so proud of her."
U.S. Senators also honor Hortman and Hoffman
On the floor of the U.S. Senate, both of Minnesota's Senators took time to honor those injured and killed in the weekend tragedy.
"This was an unspeakable act of political violence, an act and an attack on our democracy as well as a personal tragedy," Senator Tina Smith said on the Senate floor. "And there will be a time and a place to discuss the evilness of Speaker Emerita Hortman's assassination."
Smith, like senior Senator Amy Klobuchar, talked about Hortman's life and service to the state.
"Melissa was one of the most consequential speakers in the history of our state," Klobuchar explained. "She knew no limits in terms of trying to get people together, trying to get things done. And while I cannot believe she is gone, Minnesotans will be feeling the impact of her leadership forever."
Klobuchar also addressed the growing divide politically across the U.S. and the acts of violence that have seeminly followed that division.
"The polarization in our country, the divisions, the online hate needs to stop," says Klobuchar. "Violence has absolutely no place in our democracy. We need to come together and bring down the rhetoric. We must be united in the face of this attack. It was simply un-American."
Smith credited Hortman with doing things in a way that allowed her to stand her ground on issues - but to do it respectfully.
"So, Melissa always approached her work by leading with compassion and respect for our shared humanity," Smith added. 'And of course, she was unafraid to demand that respect in return, both for herself and for others. And she was fearless."
There will be a candlelight vigil from 8:00-9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18 at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. It's open to the public. People are being asked to bring a candle and to please refrain from bringing any signage.