Photo by Clay Schuldt Left to right, Morgan Blackstad and Cris Gant join other Community members along the sidewalk across from the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home during Justin Reinarts funeral service and procession.

NEW ULM — Area first responders gathered to bid a final farewell to one of their own Tuesday.

The funeral for Justin Reinarts was held at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home’s South Chapel. Reinarts served with the Hanska Fire Department for 17 years. The entire Hanska Fire Department participated in the final send-off for Reinarts. Following the services, Reinarts’ funeral procession traveled to the New Ulm Cemetery for the final burial. The funeral procession included fire trucks and paramedic units from Hanska as well as St. James, Lake Crystal, Madelia, Sleepy Eye, Courtland and New Ulm.

Reinarts, along with Tabitha Trescott, were killed in a double homicide in Hanska on Nov. 2.

As Reinarts procession left the funeral home, several community members gathered along the sidewalk to show their support for Reinarts and his family falling this unspeakable tragedy.

Morgan Blackstad stood across Broadway from the funeral home holding a “Hanska Strong” sign to show the Hanska community supports the Reinarts family and the Hanska Fire Department following this loss. Others came to voice their support for victims of domestic violence. Cris Ant held a sign for domestic violence awareness.

Barb Nelson said it was devastating to see how domestic violence continues to hurt so many.

Darcie Kollmann said she came to support the families touched by this tragedy.

Norma Cline said she knew Reinarts’ parents and standing for the procession was the right thing to do.

During the funeral service, members of the Hanska Fire Department stood vigil in dress uniforms.

Minnesota Valley Funeral Home director Eric Warmka gave the eulogy, first describing Reinarts as a devoted father, loyal son and brother, trusted friend and a proud member of the Hanska community and Fire Department.

“We come with broken hearts, carrying a grief that words cannot quite hold,” Warmka said. “We also come with gratitude. Gratitude for the time we had with Justin, for the laughter he brought, for the ways he showed up for others, and for the love he gave his family and his boys.”

Warmka also acknowledged the act of violence that took Reinarts. He said it was important to acknowledge the deep pain and shock surrounding Reinarts’ passing.

“There’s no making sense of what happened to him,” Warmka said. “The violence that took his life and Tabatha’s life is a tragedy that cuts deep. In a small community like Hanska, where everyone knows everyone, that kind of loss shakes us to the core. And it’s OK to say that it hurts, and it’s OK to be angry, confused, or heartbroken.”

Warmka also acknowledged there was strength in being together and remembering Reinarts because that love cannot be taken away.

“Today, we remember Justin’s life, we reflect on the goodness he brought into the world, and we find comfort in knowing that even though he’s gone from our sight, his spirit remains a part of all who knew him,” he said.

Warmka said Reinarts would be remembered as a man who lived his life with quiet strength and steady loyalty. A common theme among people who knew Reinarts well was his dependability.

“If he said he’d be there, he would,” Warmka said. “If something needed to be done, he’d do it. That kind of faithfulness says more about a person’s heart than any sermon ever could.”

Warmka said the even in the middle of the community pain, it was possible to see the light Reinarts left behind.