The current president, three former presidents, countless members of congress and dignitaries were among the 1,500 people in a Boston basilica today for the funeral of Senator Ted Kennedy.

Mourners sat facing Kennedy's casket, as President Barack Obama described Kennedy as a "veritable force of nature" in the Senate -- and for the Kennedy’s, the "baby of the family who became its patriarch."

In KELOLAND, former South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow is remembering his experiences with the late congressman.  Janklow says he was a well respected, honorable person.

"What he believed, what he said, what he said, he tried to do, he did it all above the table, you knew what he was doing,” Janklow said.

Senator Ted Kennedy's death has brought forth memories from those who knew him over the years - including former South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow.

"I met him in politics, several times, I appealed before congress and I testified at various things,” Janklow said.

Janklow first met Kennedy in the 1970s, when he was South Dakota's Attorney General. Janklow last saw Kennedy in 2002, when Janklow testified in front of congress.

"I testified before his committee, and he wrote me a lovely note, and nice comment afterwards, even though I was running for office at that time,” Janklow said.

Janklow says he and Kennedy had opposing views, but he can't think of anything negative to say about the politician.

"In terms of the governmental issues, I disagreed with him a lot what he tried to do, but it doesn't mean, I didn't respect immensely, the fact that he went out and pursued his agenda,” Janklow said.

Janklow says Kennedy was always straightforward with his goals as a politician, which Janklow says isn't always the case on Capitol Hill.

"He was an extremely liberal human being, who believed in his type of agenda, tried to pursue it, following, all the rules, of the game, and you can't knock anybody that plays by the rules,” Janklow said.

The senator is being laid to rest alongside his brothers John and Robert at Arlington National Cemetery. Crowds lined the streets of Washington, where his hearse stopped outside the Senate where he served for 47 years.