PFC Jacob A. Gassen, age 21, of Beaver Dam, died Monday, November 29, 2010 while serving his country in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afganistan.
Visitation for Jacob will be at the Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM and at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 950 Washington Street in Horicon, on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 1:00 PM. The Very Reverend Michael L. Wild will officiate.
Jacob was born on November 19, 1989 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, the son of Gregory and Barbara (Luck) Gassen. He attended elementary school at St. Jerome”s Catholic School in Columbus. He then attended Beaver Dam Middle School and High School, graduating in 2008. While in high school, Jake was active in the BDHS Orchestra, the golf team, and Academic Decathlon; he was also involved in Youth Soccer, YMCA Swim Team and was a life guard at the Columbus Aquatic Center and the YMCA of Dodge County. After high school, he attended UW Oshkosh for a year. In September of 2009, Jake joined the United States Army; his basic training was at Ft. Benning, GA and his AIT/Medic Training was at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. After training, Jake was assigned to HHT, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, KY.
Jake is survived by his parents, Gregory and Barbara Gassen of Beaver Dam; two brothers, Christopher and Jesse Gassen of Beaver Dam; his maternal grandmother, Phyllis Luck of Beaver Dam; an aunt and two uncles, M. John (Leiko) Gassen of Neillsville, Valerie (Bill) Dahlke of Granton, and Dan (Lorrie) Luck of Randolph; his cousins, Patrick and Sean Luck, Christine and Dawn Dahlke, Mayumi (Nathan) Aaberg, Angela Gassen, and Jim (Christie) Gassen; he is further survived by his aunt, Denise (Hanson) Rundhaugen, his birth mother, Lisa Genardo; her children, Samantha, Sara, Emily, Steven, and Jennifer; Jacob”s grandfather, Joe Genardo; and more friends than there are stars in the sky. Jake was preceded in death by his infant brother, Thomas Gassen; his maternal grandfather, Merlin Luck; his paternal grandparents, Mathias “Matt” and Virginia Gassen, and his uncle, Rich Hanson.
Memorials may be made in Jacob Gassen”s name to YMCA of Dodge County, 220 Corporate Drive
Beaver Dam, WI 53916; or the Jacob Gassen Memorial – Class of 2008, c/o Beaver Dam High School, 500 Gould Street, Beaver Dam, WI 53916.
The Murray Funeral Home, 131 Maple Avenue in Beaver Dam, is caring for the family. To leave online condolences, for directions and other information, please visit our website at www.MurrayFH.com.
Visitation Details
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010, 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Thursday, December 9th, 2010, 10:00am – 12:30pm, Sacred Heart Catholic Church-Horicon
Service Details
Thursday, December 9th, 2010, 1:00pm, Sacred Heart Catholic Church-Horicon