Essling Funeral Home

Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)Michael Houle's senior portrait from South St. Paul High School, class of 2014. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)A photograph of a young Michael Houle being held by his mother, Sarah, sits next to a guest book at Michael Houle's memorial service June 13, 2016. (Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)Michael Houle's grandfather Ed Essling becomes emotional while speaking during the memorial service for Houle on June 13, 2016. By his side is Houle's grandmother, Loni Essling. (Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)Kenton Spading looks at a photograph of Michael Houle working on a robotics project during the visitation for Houle on June 13, 2016. Spading, an engineer, was Houle's mentor. The pair formed a father-son-like bond, and Spading encouraged Houle's engineering interests. (Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)Sarah Houle hugs a mourner before the memorial service for her 20-year-old son, Michael, on June 13, 2016. (Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)Pictures of Michael Houle were set out during his visitation and memorial service June 13, 2016, at Kandt & Tetrick Funeral Home in South St. Paul. (Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)A line of visitors waiting to sign a guest book extended out the door at Kandt & Tetrick Funeral Home in South St. Paul on June 13, 2016, during the memorial service for Michael Houle, 20, who died May 30. (Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)Carolyn Hudson throws up her arms in emotion shortly before the service for Michael Houle on June 13, 2016. "He was so considerate," she said following the service. "He would call me out of the blue and say, 'Grandma, how are you doing?" (Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)img class="lazyload size-article_inline" data-sizes="auto" data-src="https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/death-of-houle009.jpg?w=620" data-srcset="https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/death-of-houle009.jpg?w=620 620w,https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/d...