Family and friends gathered on Monday to pay tribute to Erin Michelle West, a substitute teacher who tragically lost her life in a shooting that occurred last week at a private religious school in Wisconsin. Described as a devoted Christian with deep Southern roots, Erin was known for her meticulous note-taking in her personal Bible and her plans to take her children on a trip to Disney World next year. She was 42 years old at the time of her death.
The incident took place on December 16 when 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow opened fire with a handgun at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. In addition to Erin, the shooting claimed the life of a 14-year-old student, Rubi Vergara, and left six others injured before Rupnow turned the gun on herself. As investigators continue to search for answers regarding Rupnow’s motive, the community mourns the loss of two young lives along with a beloved teacher.
A heartfelt funeral service was held at Doxa Church in Fitchburg, a Madison suburb, attended by numerous individuals paying their respects. West’s casket was placed in front of a stage decorated with Christmas trees illuminated by golden lights, while a large photograph of her was displayed on a screen throughout the hour-long ceremony.
Pastor Rob Warren, visibly emotional, addressed the congregation, expressing the conflicting feelings surrounding the gathering. “In a sense, no one wants to be here,” he commented. “But in another sense, I believe we’re all supposed to be here right now—to hurt and heal together. As painful as it is, I believe we really all do need this moment.”
Erin’s obituary revealed that she hailed from St. Charles, Missouri, and graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2005. She married her husband, Jack, in Powder Springs, Georgia, that same year, and together they had three daughters.
During the service, Pastor Warren shared passages from Erin’s personal Bible, emphasizing the numerous handwritten notes and highlighted sections. He recalled flipping to a page that contained the phrase “the Gospel is for everyone,” written in blue ink, underscoring Erin’s commitment to her faith. “This is what Erin West was about,” he stated, later affirming that “Erin is in heaven right now with Jesus, and she’s more alive than she ever has been and that’s the truth.”
Nate Kaloupek, the director of leadership development and equipping at Doxa Church, delivered a brief eulogy, recounting how Erin met Jack through an online Christian chatroom. He shared that Jack’s job with Cardinal Glass took the couple across the country, including temporary stays in Oklahoma and the Pacific Northwest, before they finally settled in Wisconsin approximately six years ago.
Struggling with his emotions, Kaloupek noted Erin’s affectionate nature, mentioning her love for the fast-food chain Chick-fil-A and her Southern expressions like “love y’all” or “hey, y’all.” He playfully described her as someone “really bad” at concealing her feelings and highlighted her dedication to her calling at Abundant Life Christian School, where she led prayer groups and tracked answered prayers.
Among her fond memories, Kaloupek mentioned Erin’s love for family camping trips, wine-tasting outings with Jack, and her excitement about taking their daughters to Disney World in the spring. He concluded his eulogy with a heartfelt message that Erin would want him to convey, saying, “She’d want me to say ‘love y’all.’ Thank you.”
