Overflow crowd remembers the couple that cared
EVERETT, Wash. - An overflow crowd filled a high school gymnasium this afternoon to say goodbye to two friends - a couple killed by a suspected drunk driver one week ago.
Brad and Melissa Agerup were with two other people when another driver, who police say had been drinking, ran a stop sign and slammed into their car on Highway 9 near Marysville.
And on Sunday, more than 1,500 people - family, friends, coworkers, students - packed the gymnasium at Mariner High School to say farewell.
Brad Agerup was a teacher and athletic trainer for the school's sports teams for 26 years.
In his honor, the school is retiring Jersey No. 1, never to be worn by anybody. Insetad, it will hang in the school training office.
Brad also was a huge Beatles fan.
"Ironically, on the way here this morning, I turned on the radio, and the song playing was 'Yesterday.'" says Coach John Ondriezek, who was at the memorial service.
Melissa Agerup, a Mariner High graduate, worked at the Everett Clinic and was remembered as a terrific cook.
"She was truly one of my best friends," says Katie Riehl. "And you couldn't ask for a better co-worker. She always, always worked so hard."
The couple's sudden death has shaken so many. They were a fun-loving husband and wife who others turned to for advice, weekend getaway planning - or just to talk.
Few will miss them more than their teenage daughters. In a violent few moments, Sarah and Katie Agerup lost their parents.
"I always keep thinking, I'm not going to have my parents at my high-school graduation," says Katie.
Sarah says, "I was in bed, waiting for them, and I knew something was wrong. And when the cop showed up, I knew. And the first thing they asked me was, 'Do you have any questions?' And my first question was, 'Was the driver drunk?' And that just made it worse. Because my dad stressed to everyone, 'Don't drink and drive.'"
A senseless tragedy, they say, that's taken away two amazing people who were tremendously loved and respected.
And now their two daughters insist they will live to be the young women their parents wanted them to be.
"Following our dreams and accomplishing our goals is what they want from us," says Sarah. "And I know that would make them the most proud of us - so that's what we're going to do."
An education fund has been set up for the girls in their parents' names. Donations can be made at any US bank branch.
A funeral service for the other couple who was killed, Thomas and Hilda Woods, is set for Tuesday.
And Sarah and Katie, who considered the Woods their "second parents," say they will be there for that goodbye.
Brad and Melissa Agerup were with two other people when another driver, who police say had been drinking, ran a stop sign and slammed into their car on Highway 9 near Marysville.
And on Sunday, more than 1,500 people - family, friends, coworkers, students - packed the gymnasium at Mariner High School to say farewell.
Brad Agerup was a teacher and athletic trainer for the school's sports teams for 26 years.
In his honor, the school is retiring Jersey No. 1, never to be worn by anybody. Insetad, it will hang in the school training office.
Brad also was a huge Beatles fan.
"Ironically, on the way here this morning, I turned on the radio, and the song playing was 'Yesterday.'" says Coach John Ondriezek, who was at the memorial service.
Melissa Agerup, a Mariner High graduate, worked at the Everett Clinic and was remembered as a terrific cook.
"She was truly one of my best friends," says Katie Riehl. "And you couldn't ask for a better co-worker. She always, always worked so hard."
The couple's sudden death has shaken so many. They were a fun-loving husband and wife who others turned to for advice, weekend getaway planning - or just to talk.
Few will miss them more than their teenage daughters. In a violent few moments, Sarah and Katie Agerup lost their parents.
"I always keep thinking, I'm not going to have my parents at my high-school graduation," says Katie.
Sarah says, "I was in bed, waiting for them, and I knew something was wrong. And when the cop showed up, I knew. And the first thing they asked me was, 'Do you have any questions?' And my first question was, 'Was the driver drunk?' And that just made it worse. Because my dad stressed to everyone, 'Don't drink and drive.'"
A senseless tragedy, they say, that's taken away two amazing people who were tremendously loved and respected.
And now their two daughters insist they will live to be the young women their parents wanted them to be.
"Following our dreams and accomplishing our goals is what they want from us," says Sarah. "And I know that would make them the most proud of us - so that's what we're going to do."
An education fund has been set up for the girls in their parents' names. Donations can be made at any US bank branch.
A funeral service for the other couple who was killed, Thomas and Hilda Woods, is set for Tuesday.
And Sarah and Katie, who considered the Woods their "second parents," say they will be there for that goodbye.