Obit: Gassen, PFC Jacob A. (1989 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Gassen, Luck, Dahlke, Aaberg, Genardo, Wild

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) December 8, 2010

Gassen, PFC Jacob A. (19 November 1989 - 29 November 2010) With flag

PFC  Jacob A. Gassen, 21, of Beaver Dam, died Monday, Nov. 29, 2010 while serving his country in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Jacob was born Nov. 19, 1989, in La Crosse, 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, (BDHS) 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. Banning, GA, and his AIT/Medic Training was at Ft. Sam Houston, TX.  After training, Jake was assigned to HHT, 1^st Squadron, 61^st Cavalry Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team 101^st 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 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; and his paternal grandparents, Mathias "Matt" and Virginia Gassen.

Visitation for Jacob will be at the Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at Sacred Hert Catholic Church, Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 950 Washington Street in Horicon, Thursday, Dec. 9, at 1 p.m.  The Very Reverend Michael L. Wild will officiate.

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.