Kyrstin Gemar, Ashley Neufeld and Afton Williamson (from left to right), were students at and softball teammates at Dickinson State University. Their bodies were found in an SUV pulled from a livestock pond last week. (Dickinson State University/Associated Press)

More than 1,000 people filled a church Monday to say goodbye to a young Manitoba woman who drowned in a North Dakota pond while stargazing with two university softball teammates.

Pictures of a smiling Ashley Neufeld, along with several of her sports uniforms, adorned the altar of the church in her hometown of Brandon, Man.

One of her former coaches, Jim Nay, told mourners that Neufeld not only played with heart, but lived with heart as well.

The 21-year-old died last week with two other members of the Dickinson State University softball team when their sport utility vehicle sank in a farmer’s watering hole not far from the North Dakota school.

Rev. Shannon McCarthy said there is no reason or rationale behind the deaths, but suggested it is important to remember how each of the young women lived.

The other two women — Kyrstin Gemar, 22, and Afton Williamson, 20 — were from California. The body of Neufeld’s dog was also in the vehicle.

Police believe the trio inadvertently drove into the pond while they were driving around looking at the stars.

The students were believed to be in the Jeep Cherokee when two of their friends received phone calls late Nov. 1. The lines quickly went dead. Police described the first call as a very scratchy plea for help in which one of the students said they were near water.

The bodies were found last Tuesday. Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy said the SUV was found resting on its wheels in about three metres of water hidden by tall grass. The doors and windows were closed.

Outpouring of grief

News of the deaths shocked everyone who knew Neufeld and led to at least two memorials the following day.

About 30 family members and teammates gathered at the pond, where they threw roses and softballs into the water.

In Neufeld’s hometown, dozens of her friends and former teammates showed up at a ball diamond where some drew a heart in the infield dirt and others placed flowers on second base.

The gifted athlete was from a family well known in Brandon, a city of 43,000 west of Winnipeg. Her mother, Bev Neufeld, was also a talented ball player and was recently inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame.

Autopsies expected in a week or two will help determine the exact cause of death and whether the women were on drugs or drinking. Authorities have said there is no indication they were.

The Jeep is being examined for possible malfunctions.