Student’s funeral arrangements set

The funeral arrangements for first-year student Alyssa Funke, who died Wednesday, April 16, have been announced by Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center in Stillwater, Minn.

The visitation will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minn., from 9-11 a.m. with the funeral service at the church beginning at 11 a.m.

According to the Falcon Daily, UWRF will provide transportation to students who are interested in attending the funeral service and visitation. Contact Student Affairs if interested at 715-425-4444 or in room 170 in the University Center.

Alyssa is survived by her mother Melissa Funke (Eugene Bass) of Bayport; father Rashad Bowman of Woodbury; siblings Natasha, Adrianna, Awnnastazia, Chantel, Trevon, Olivia, Rashad Jr, Hailie and Neko; grandmother Dolly Bridges of Stillwater; uncles Neal (Errin) of Somerset, Wis., Perry of Stillwater and Jayson of Worcester, Mass.; many close friends and a large extended family.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, the sheriff’s office was asked to check on the welfare of the 19-year-old biology student Wednesday afternoon and Funke’s body was found shortly after. Police officials are still investigating the death.

“Any time a student passes it’s a very emotional time and it’s tragic and we work to provide the resources needed to help the community work through the grieving and healing process,” Assistant Director of Residence Life Kenneth White said.

The University has policies and procedures in place to handle student death and White said that once Residence Life is notified of a death, the department begins to work through the various policies and procedures to handle the death appropriately.

In an email sent out on Thursday, April 17, by Chancellor Dean Van Galen in regards to Funke’s death, students who would like to share thoughts and condolences to the family can leave a card or note with the office of Student Rights and Responsibilities located in Hathorn Hall and the office will forward the messages to the Funke family.

White and Van Galen said students who have been impacted by Funke’s death are encouraged to seek support from Counseling Services in 211 Hagestad Hall. Hours include Monday through Friday