POST FALLS, Idaho – Several hundred people who gathered Wednesday at a memorial service for Brenda and Slade Groene also paused to remember two children missing from the home where the woman and her 13-year-old son were slain.
Nine-year-old Dylan and 8-year-old Shasta Groene (search) have not been seen since the bound, bludgeoned bodies of their mother, older brother Slade and family friend Mark McKenzie were found May 16.
"Those who hurt children, God will take care of," Pastor Bill Putnam said during the service at the Real Life Ministries church. "I tell ya, hell's a long time."
But the hour-long memorial focused on the victims, whose bodies were found in their rural home near Lake Coeur d'Alene's Wolf Lodge Bay (search).
"The person who did this will be found and will be dealt with," said Jesse Groene, 18, another son who had a six-hour furlough from the Kootenai County Jail (search) to attend the service. He read a rap-style poem he had written to his mother.
Also at the service were older brother Vance Groene, 20, and Steven Groene, the children's father.
Slade Groene was remembered for his love of hunting, video games, dirt-biking and rap music. Brenda Groene wrote poems, did needlepoint, gardened and liked to cook, Putnam said.
Jesse Groene was being held for investigation of assault, battery, burglary and possession of stolen property.
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