Reuters -- SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota - Mourners gathered on Friday for the funeral of former U.S. Senator George McGovern, a soft-spoken South Dakota native and passionate opponent of the Vietnam war who shaped the Democratic Party even in a landslide defeat in the 1972 presidential race.
Close friends, family and those he mentored directly and indirectly called McGovern a man of principle and decency during a prayer service on Thursday night.
"He is the father of the modern Democratic Party," Vice President Joe Biden said, calling McGovern a "good and decent man" who opened the party up to women, minorities and young people, and inspired a generation of leaders.
McGovern, who was born and raised in South Dakota, died in Sioux Falls on Sunday at a hospice center at age 90.
