Tueller remembered in pair of Medical Lake events

Community members from Medical Lake and the surrounding area took time last week to get to know more about Journey Tueller.

Unfortunately, it was at a pair of memorial services to honor the life of the Medical Lake High School student-athlete who died in an automobile crash on April 14.

On Wednesday, April 18, the 17-year-old was honored in a candlelight vigil at the school's track and field facility.

A pop-up canopy did a brisk business selling T-shirts where proceeds went to the family. That allowed hundreds to make sure they were clothed in Tueller's favorite color, yellow.

An estimated 800 people stood shoulder-to-shoulder, completely ringing the track, and heard from a number of people who spoke to the memory of a person that many might have previously only known by name, or from her efforts as a shot put and discus specialist for the Cardinals track and field team.

Following tributes, those in attendance lit candles in luminarias, each with personal messages.

On Sunday afternoon, April 22, following her interment earlier in the day at the Medical Lake Cemetery, another large crowd filed into the MLHS gymnasium for a service that included numerous tributes, including those from parents, Julie and Dave Tueller.

From mom, those in attendance learned about how Journey was to have been born on April 1, 2001, but did not arrive until Friday, April 13. It was not just any Friday the 13th either as Tueller was born on Good Friday.

"It was the only time she was late in her life," her mother said, allowing the crowd to have a little laugh.

Her daughter loved hats of any shape and form, and "Her smile would light you up." Everyone learned Tueller's beloved Bible, journal - and God - were constant companions.

Among other things, Tueller had a passion for popcorn, gum and the rain. She was very protective, particularly of her food, and someone "Could lose an arm," if they tried to nab a nibble, her mother said.

Her father spoke to a love of an old dresser the two found in a yard sale. Full of nicks and gouges, he said his daughter loved it as it was.

As those in attendance arrived, they received a program with service details, photos and a message that hung on Tueller's bedroom door. It spoke to the daily struggles and victories everyone experiences.

It began, "Some days I can be strong, I can be weak, I can be proud, I can be meek; and closed with a tribute to her strong commitment to faith: "I'll never forget...Heaven is where I belong."

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.