MINNEAPOLIS — A funeral mass for longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar will be held later this week in Maryland.

A family spokesman said the Mass of Christian Burial will be said Thursday at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Potomac.

The 79-year-old Oberstar died in his sleep early Saturday at his home in Potomac. The former congressman represented northeastern Minnesota for 36 years and brought millions of dollars to the state as chairman of the powerful House Transportation Committee.

The Democrat was elected to Congress in 1974 and served 18 terms — the state’s longest-serving member of Congress.

Plans for a Minnesota memorial have not been made.