Guevara family gets free funeral

Though no date has been set for the late Jasmine Guevara’s funeral, the burden of its cost has been lifted.

Terry Rietveld, of Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell, said Thursday that he offered Guevara’s family a free funeral. He also has arranged for a free grave opening and closing at the city cemetery from the city of Mitchell, a free grave marker from Shafer Memorials and free flowers from Nepstad’s Flowers and Gifts.

The family accepted the offer Thursday during a visit with Rietveld.

“It was a very emotional time for all of us,” he said.

Guevara, 16, was killed Nov. 10. Two days later, authorities arrested Alexander Salgado, 20, and a 15-year-old girl whose name is being withheld because of her juvenile status.

The two are accused of stabbing Guevara, cutting her throat, putting her into a car and setting the car on fire.

Guevara’s remains were transported to the State Crime Lab in Pierre for an autopsy, and Rietveld said the remains have not yet been released. Because of that, no date has been set for the funeral.

Prior to Thursday, Wells Fargo Bank established an account to accept donations for Guevara’s funeral and other related expenses. Rietveld said he has asked Wells Fargo to keep that account open so that money can be raised to help the family with other needs.

Rietveld said he was familiar with Guevara, because she and his daughter both participated in cross-country running.

“I’ve got a 15-year-old, and I can’t even imagine what they’re going through,” he said. “It’s one thing to lose your daughter, but to think about what she went through during the last two minutes of her life — they’re having a tough time.”

Rietveld said Guevara’s family seemed deeply affected by the offer of assistance.

“Mitchell’s a tight community,” he recalled telling the family. “We need to come together as a community, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

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