Well, we’re back in Madison in what’s basically an overnight pit-stop on the way back to Minneapolis.

The funeral didn’t turn out to be as much of a production as some had suggested it would be. Yes, it was extremely formal, with two processions, one from the funeral home to the church and another from the church to the cemetery, and a detailed funeral mass with two priests, but generally speaking they respectfully got on with it. The mass itself was probably 45 minutes, and in the end we left the cemetery under three hours after arriving at the funeral home. The interment itself was not part of the ceremony, which seemed a surprise to some and a relief to others.

Lisa handled everything well, as did her dad. Just about everyone appeared to be asking him how he was doing, and he’d quietly respond that he was OK, which actually seemed to be the case. (Side note: Don had a really nice tie on today. I feel obligated to note that for some reason.)

There was a small luncheon after the funeral, where people dined on church food and reminisced about Baba. I didn’t know her well, but from the stories I’ve heard over the past 48 hours, I think I have a fairly good idea about the kind of person she was: Unique and occasionally frustrating, but able to make everyone who met her very glad they had done so.

Well, with that it’s time for me to make a quick run to Walgreen’s. (Long story.) More later.

Actually, one other thing I have to point out: The second leg of the funeral procession was completely knocked out of order by some guy driving a Hummer. As the lead cars and the hearse started out of the parking lot, the Hummer swooped around in front of the cars lined up to follow. Many of the other drivers reacted to this event… Poorly. Within 10 seconds of the Hummer’s introduction, both remaining lines of cars had managed to dissolve into a completely unrecognizable mess. I stared at the disorder in disbelief while Lisa complained from the back seat about which relatives close to Baba just got knocked back in the line.

The worst part about it? The people in the Hummer were part of the procession. Hi, welcome to Indiana.