*Thanks to MNN Affiliate WJON, St. Cloud*

Every hug, every kind note, each and every one has provided us with the courage to move forward and to fight for Jacob and the world that he knew and believed in. Our hearts and prayers go out for all the families that are still searching. We won’t give up ever. Jacob we will always carry you in our hearts and our love for you will never die.

St Ben’s President Mary Hinton offered support and gratitude to the Wetterlings.

Over the past 27 years in some of their darkest moments we learned about grace and courage from Patty, Jerry, and the entire Wetterling family.  From Patty’s hard work on behalf of missing and exploited children we learned that an individual can make a difference.

Jacob’s cousin Allen Overturn also shared several of the families’ and friends’ memories of Jacob.

I guess for us planning for the future, rather than talking about Jacob in the past was our way to keep his hope alive all these years. Now 27 years later we realize that not a day has gone by that Jacob’s light hasn’t been shining through each one of us.

The service featured a boys’ choir, the reading of a Native American prayer and the playing of Jacob’s favorite song, “Listen” by folk singer Red Grammer.

Governor Mark Dayton, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, and U.S. Senator Al Franken were among those in attendance.  Dayton issued  a statement following the memorial service.

Today is a very hard day for the Wetterling family and for all Minnesotans. Jacob’s tragedy profoundly affected all of us. On behalf of all Minnesotans, I extend my deepest condolences to the Wetterling family.

After the service, those in attendance were invited outside to eat ice cream, which is something Patty Wetterling asked us to do in the days immediately following the recovery of Jacob’s remains.

Thanks to MNN Affiliate: http://www.wjon.com