Madison school shooting: Erin West funeral; family, friends mourn

Remembering Erin West

A funeral was held on Monday for Erin West, the 42-year-old teacher killed in the Madison school shooting.

FITCHBURG, Wis. - A funeral was held on Monday for Erin West, the 42-year-old teacher killed in the Madison school shooting. The funeral was held at Doxa Church in Fitchburg.

West worked as the substitute coordinator at Abundant Life Christian School. Friends tell FOX6 News she worked there for four years.

Erin West funeral at Doxa Church, Fitchburg

West was killed on Dec. 16 when 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow opened fire with a handgun at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. A 14-year-old student, Rubi Vergara, also was killed and six others were wounded before Rupnow turned the gun on herself.

Rupnow was a first-semester student at the school. Investigators are still trying to piece together her motive.

Family, friends gather

Loved ones say West was a wife and a mother of three. She was also a member of Doxa Church. West's obituary said she enjoyed camping, attending school sporting events and spending time with her daughters and the rest of her family.

Rob Warren, the church's pastor, fought back tears as he welcomed people.

"In a sense, no one wants to be here," Warren said. "But in another sense I believe we're all supposed to be here right now, to hurt and heal together. As painful as it is, I believe we really all do need this moment."

Rob Warren, lead pastor at Doxa Church

"She was someone, who when she said it, when she said 'I love you.' She really meant it; she backed it up. She showed this to us so well," said Nate Kaloupek, Erin West's friend. "She wanted her daughters to grow up knowing Jesus and walking with Him – and she was a great role model at that."

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"I can tell you that everyone I've talked to, that's associated with Abundant Life said that anyone associated with that school is really like, what we call the salt of the earth. They're the best of the best. They are big hearts. They really believe in service and in community. So there's going to be some heavy hearts today, I will be counted among them," said Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes

According to West's obituary, she was born in St. Charles, Missouri, and graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2005. She married her husband, Jack, in 2005, in Powder Springs, Georgia. The couple has three daughters.

Police are now focusing on rallying around the community and the school.

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Abundant Life Christian School remains closed while police investigate the shooting.