Former Vice President Walter Mondale was cheered loudly as he entered Tuesday evening's memorial service for the late Sen. Paul Wellstone.

Mondale (pictured) is expected to replace Wellstone on the ballot in Minnesota.

About 15,000 people crammed into an arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota for the service. Thousands more watched video feeds both inside a nearby facility and outside.

During the memorial, Minnesotans were urged to win next Tuesday's election for Wellstone.

Wellstone campaign treasurer Rick Kahn implored those gathered to keep Wellstone's legacy alive.

Kahn even called on Republican senators who attended the memorial service to stand up and urge others to keep Wellstone's dreams going forward.

Wellstone's green campaign bus, which was parked outside the arena, has been turned into a shrine thick with flowers.

Just about everybody attending the service wore either a Wellstone sticker or a button with his picture on it.

Former President Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore were in attendance, as were many senators.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson represented the Bush administration.

The Wellstone family had asked Vice President Dick Cheney to stay away, in part out of concern that his presence might overshadow the event.

Other reports indicated that the family felt Cheney, a Republican, would feel uncomfortable because the event is also designed to serve as a populist rally with the theme, "Stand up, keep fighting."

But family members reportedly were upset by Republican campaign activities Tuesday.

SEN. PAUL WELLSTONE List Of People Aboard Plane Reactions To Senator's Death Senate Races BIO Born July 21, 1944 Has three children, six grandchildren Elected to U.S. Senate in 1990, re-elected in 1996 Was student and wrestler at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Married wife, Sheila, in 1963 Earned doctorate in political science in 1970 Taught at Carleton College for 21 years COMMITTEES Agriculture Health, Education, Labor and Pension Foreign Relations Small Business Indian Affairs Veterans' Affairs THE PLANE King Air B200

Wellstone, his wife, daughter and five others were killed in a plane crash last Friday. While his Republican challenger has suspended his campaign until after the service, other Republicans have criticized Mondale, Wellstone's probable replacement on the Nov. 5 ballot.

White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said Cheney had planned to attend the service but changed his plans after conversations with the family.

Earlier Tuesday, The Associated Press reported that Mondale would replace Wellstone on the ticket. The AP report cited a Minnesota Democratic official who asked to remain anonymous.

The Democratic official said Mondale will launch his Senate campaign Wednesday, when Minnesota Democrats officially announce the replacement for Wellstone, who died suddenly in a plane crash Friday. Mondale, 74, is planning a public rally on Thursday, the official said.

It is believed Mondale wanted to stay mum on the nomination until after Wellstone's Tuesday night memorial service.

Mondale, who represented Minnesota as a U.S. senator from 1964 to 1976, quickly emerged as the top choice of party leaders after Wellstone's death, and his candidacy seemed even more likely after Wellstone's sons expressed their support for the former vice president.

Wellstone's Republican challenger is former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, who temporarily suspended campaign activities after Wellstone's death.

Polls showed Coleman and Wellstone locked in a tight race, making Minnesota a focal point for Democrats and Republicans looking for control of the Senate.

Democrats see Wellstone's seat as critical to their chances of maintaining the majority in the Senate, which they hold 50-49, with one Democratic-leaning Independent.

Minnesota law allows a fallen candidate's party to replace the name on the ballot within five days of the election, which is Thursday in this case.

It is unclear what effect the Wellstone tragedy will have on the Minnesota race. History has shown that parties of incumbents or well-entrenched candidates who die tend to benefit from a sympathy vote.

Meanwhile, outgoing Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura still hasn't decided whether to appoint a temporary successor who would serve until the election winner is officially certified. Ventura did make clear he would not consider appointing himself.

No Early Answers Expected In Crash Probe

Federal officials say the investigation into the plane crash could take months.

The lead investigator said the plane is too heavily damaged to tell right away whether de-icing equipment was operating properly.

Pilots at the Minnesota airport where the plane was headed last Friday say the amount of ice was no more than normal.

The plane went down about 2.5 miles from the airport in Eveleth. The landing gear was down and the flaps were lowered properly.

Investigators are still studying inspections records and plane parts for clues.