DETROIT LAKES, Minn. -- The usual sea of dark colors associated with a memorial service was missing Monday morning at a memorial service for 6-year-old Evan Johnson.
Instead, brighter colors filled the room as a sign of praise.
The boy fell into a deep pool and was swept away Wednesday while vacationing with his family near Silverton, Colo.
Praise is what the family wanted portrayed through the service at the Community Alliance Church. Uplifting songs were performed, including "Sing for Joy," "Come, Now is the Time to Worship" and "Trading My Sorrows."
As the congregation sang and the pastors spoke, parents gave their young children an extra squeeze as they lined the chairs and stood against the walls, filling the sanctuary and overflowing into the foyer.
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The Rev. Paul McKibben told of Evan's love for NASCAR racing. He said he learned that Evan had memorized drivers, owners of the cars, and statistics.
"And some of those he memorized right here in this church while I preached," McKibben said, lightening the mood a little.
Along with the NASCAR statistics though, McKibben said Evan also memorized Bible verses.
"When God says it's time to go home to him, the race is over," he said. "I believe Evan is making his victory lap. He's getting the checkered flag."
McKibben said rescue workers had located Evan's body, but it slipped away before they could reach it.
The water flows through a culvert and into the Animas River. Sheriff Sue Kurtz said there are whirlpools 30 feet deep where the boy fell.
A memorial service was held Friday in Silverton before the Johnsons returned home to Detroit Lakes.
McKibben said that in the middle of all the grief from losing a child, Evan's mother, Connie Johnson, said she has received peace from God.
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At the memorial service Monday, McKibben spoke directly to the children about the loss of their classmate and friend.
"Death is nothing to be afraid of. He's just separated from us," he said. "It's like passing from one place to another. You'll see him again in heaven."
After the service, children were encouraged to take balloons from the church, gather outside, and release them into the sky.
Pippi Mayfield is a reporter for The Detroit Lakes Tribune, a Forum Communications newspaper
