Jacob A. Gassen, 21, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin was born on November 19, 1988 and graduated Beaver Dam High School in 2008.
In High School, he was active in the Orchestra, golf team, and the Academic Decathlon. He was a lifeguard at the YMCA and Colombus Aquatic Center. He was on the YMCA Swim Team and involved in the Youth Soccer program.
He studied nursing at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh before entering the Army. He wanted to live his life helping others heal.
"He was one of those guys when you were in a room he was always the peacemaker ... always the guy who everybody looked up to and he was that type of guy, if you were out of line, he would straighten you out." Greg Gassen, father.
"His heart was very much in the right place. He loved his family, he loved living on the lake." Mary Vogl-Rauscher, neighbor.
He was a really good guy. He helped me reshape my life." Jeff Rauscher, friend.
Gassen was a Combat Medic, who joined the Army in September 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in April 2010.
He is survived by parents Gregory and Barbara Gassen, his birth-mother Lisa Genardo, brothers Chris and Jesse Gassen, grandmother Phyllis Luck, and grandfather Joe Genardo. He was remembered at Sacred Heart Church and laid to rest at Randolph Cemetary.
If you knew Jake personally and have stories to share of His Honor, His Generosity, of his life, please contact us so that we may update his article.