Funeral held for drowned softball player

BRANDON, Man.—More than 1,000 people filled a church yesterday to say good-bye to a young Manitoba woman who drowned in a North Dakota pond while she was out stargazing with friends.
Pictures of a smiling Ashley Neufeld, along with several of her sports uniforms, adorned the altar of the church in her hometown of Brandon.

As part of the service, her parents lit a candle next to one of her photographs.
One of her former coaches, Jim Nay, told mourners that Neufeld not only played with heart, but lived with heart, as well.
The 21-year-old died last week along with two other members from the Dickinson State University softball team when their sport utility vehicle sank in a farmer’s watering hole.
Rev. Shannon McCarthy said there is no reason or rationale behind the deaths, but suggested it is important to remember how each of the young women lived their lives.
“This was not what God wanted for Ashley, for Krystin, or for Afton,” she said. “There is no why, which makes it even harder for us to understand the randomness of life.”
Neufeld and her friends died not far from the North Dakota school they attended.
The other two women—Kyrstin Gemar, 22, and Afton Williamson, 20—were from California. The body of Neufeld’s dog also was found in the vehicle.
Police believe the trio inadvertently drove into the pond while they were driving around looking at the stars.
The students were believed to be in their Jeep Cherokee when two of their friends received phone calls late Nov. 1. But the lines quickly went dead.
Police described the first call as a “very scratchy” plea for help in which one of the students said they were near water.
The bodies were found last Tuesday.
Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy said the SUV was found resting on its wheels in about three metres of water hidden by tall grass.
The doors and windows were closed.
The gifted athlete was from a family well-known in Brandon, a city of 43,000 west of Winnipeg. Her mother, Bev Neufeld, also was a talented ball player and recently was inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame.
“This past week has been the worst roller-coaster ride ever,” Bev Neufeld said.
“But to see the support from both Ashley’s home here in Brandon, Manitoba and in Dickinson, North Dakota is what has pulled us through this.”
Former coaches talked about Neufeld’s determined spirit. Relatives talked about how Neufeld cherished her family, and how she would drive for hours to attend get-togethers while juggling her school work and softball.
Autopsies expected in a week or two will help determine the exact cause of death, and whether the women were on drugs or drinking. Authorities have said there is no indication they were.
The Jeep also is being examined to see if it malfunctioned.