SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Before she was president of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin represented South Dakota in Congress, where she served alongside the late Sen. Tim Johnson. "I think South Dakotans and Americans will remember Tim Johnson for being serious about the business of being a voice for South Dakotans, for working across the aisle, for seeking progress through listening well, understanding the implications and making arguments and persuading colleagues," Herseth Sandlin said Tuesday. Johnson passed away on Oct. 8 at the age of 77. Herseth Sandlin served in the U.S. House from 2004 to 2011, and at the time, Johnson was one of South Dakota's two Senators in Washington. She is now set to speak at Johnson's memorial service on Friday in Sioux Falls, and while she and Johnson were both South Dakota Democrats who each spent time serving in the U.S. House, their similarities don't come close to ending there. County commissioners upset at accusations of treason "I'm deeply grateful to Barbara and Brendan, the entire Johnson family for inviting me to share some memories, both from the time I was a young girl when he served in the state capitol in Pierre, through interning with him when I was in college to then being on the ballot with him and campaigning and then to serve the state that we love so much with Tim," Herseth Sandlin said. KELOLAND News also asked her what Johnson meant to her personally. "Tim was a role model of mine, and I think that he, for me, he's just so familiar and relatable," Herseth Sandlin said. "From having served with my dad in the state legislature, to being really encouraging." For her, Tim Johnson's authenticity stands out. "I think whenever you talked to Tim, whether it was me or any other South Dakotan, you knew that he was paying attention to you, and he cared about your perspectives and your opinions and he wanted to be supportive," Herseth Sandlin said. KELOLAND News will bring viewers a special broadcast on Friday morning of Johnson's funeral. Coverage will begin at 10:00 Central Time on air and online.