On the patio of the Park Tavern, a community gathers to heal

The smallest gestures — a lunch order, a bouquet, $20 from a stranger — have been a balm for the grieving staff. Kristina Folkerts grew up at the Park Tavern, where her mother, Lauralee, also worked. The nurses from nearby Methodist hospital had come there to toast a colleague who was moving on to the next internship in her career. They were helpers, all.

“The community outreach has been the biggest spirit-lifter,” Weber said. “People know that these kinds of establishments are part of the heritage of a community and have been in people’s lives for years and years.”

Weber turned to stare at the flowers, photographs and written tributes to two lives as brief and beautiful as a Minnesota summer.

“But boy, when you go home tonight,” he said. “Hug your loved ones.”