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North Branch teen remembered at serviceBy Barbara Brown North Branch High School freshman Megan Maranda Koehler, 15, was remembered Thursday by family and friends during a memorial service at Trinity Lutheran Church. Although the service was filled with sorrow and grief, many friends found ways to smile through their pain as they viewed Meganís life in pictures. Her letter jacket from North Branch High School, along with a soccer sweat shirt and basketball jersey were displayed in recognition of Meganís enjoyment of sports. Teammates and friends wrote messages of love and remembrance on poster boards decorated with photos. Nicknamed ěKiki,î Meganís love of music was highlighted before the memorial service as some of her favorite songs were played over the churchís speaker system. Included on the compilation was an audio clip from Meganís favorite movie ěTommy Boy.î Megan died Monday afternoon from injuries she received after she fell out of her familyís minivan. According to North Branch police, Megan, her older sister and mother were going to go shopping Monday, but the three changed their minds. They were on their way home, traveling down County Road 14 east of the North Branch Middle School at about 50 mph, when Megan opened the vanís side door and fell out. Police have no explanation for the accident, adding that no warning had been given from Megan. Megan was born Sept. 29, 1986, in Edina. She moved with her family to North Branch about 11 years ago. While hundreds of friends and family members were devastated by Meganís death, left with questions and disbelief, they also remembered her infectious laugh. Tears and breaking hearts were mended briefly at different times during the memorial service as moments of laughter overtook the crowd as stories of Megan were shared. Those who spoke of Megan at the funeral service consistently pointed the her sometimes unusual sense of humor. Meganís sister, Errin, recalled that her sister always had a microphone with her. She had no fear of getting up and singing and dancing in front of others. Megan was remembered as being cheerful and always willing to make others feel better when they were down. Girls from Meganís former traveling basketball team said they recalled one bus trip in particular when Megan donned her headphones and stood up on the bus, microphone in hand, and serenaded the group. The funniest part about the show was that Megan was the only one who could hear the music, the girls said. ©ECM Post Review |