DARLINGTON - Army Spc. Jakob Roelli, a Darlington native killed while serving with Army Special Forces in Afghanistan this week, was remembered by family members Thursday as a friend who was always ready to lend a hand and a soldier who wanted to make a difference.
"He's truly an American patriot," his aunt Kathy Roelli of Darlington said.
Roelli, 24, had served with the elite Special Forces, commonly called the Green Berets, for about two years.
Roelli grew up on the family farm in rural Darlington, the son of Dawn and Richard Roelli. He attended Darlington High School, where he played football, ran cross country, wrestled and played golf. He was also active in school plays and competed in Odyssey of the Mind and forensics. He graduated in 2006 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Kathy Roelli said joining the Army was a natural fit for her nephew.
"We're a very patriotic family," she said, noting Roelli wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who served in WWII.
"He really believed in what he was doing."
She recalled him as a funny, creative young man with lots of friends. He was also active in the Baptist church.
"He was a cool kid," she said.
His uncle, Greg Roelli, agreed.
"He was easy going," he said. "He was always out to help someone else."
Kathy Roelli remembered many happy times Roelli spent with his extended family in the Darlington area.
"We're a big Swiss family," she said. "There were lots of cousins. They had a lot of fun" at family gatherings for birthdays and holidays.
As of Thursday night, details concerning Roelli's death were unavailable from the Army.
Roelli's family was notified of his death Wednesday afternoon. Richard Roelli told family members that he came in from farm chores for lunch in the early afternoon and knew something was wrong as soon as he saw two uniformed men at his home, said Julie Gill, also an aunt.
Richard Roelli and Matt Roelli, Roelli's older brother who lives in Verona, traveled Thursday to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where the remains were expected to arrive. His mother now lives in Texas and was planning to meet them there, Gill said.
Richard Roelli was unavailable for comment, but told the Associated Press his son "was the best of the best."
Gill, of Shullsburg, shared memories of Roelli that were similar to those of his other family members.
"I can't believe it," she said. "He was a really nice guy. He had a quirky sense of humor ... (he was a) smart kid."
Gill also recalled that Roelli really wanted to serve his country and left college to join the Army.
"It's what he really wanted to do," she said. "This was his dream, to fight for his country."
He told his father he wanted to go where he could make a difference, she said. She wasn't sure precisely where Roelli was stationed in Afghanistan, but she said she understood he volunteered to go to there and was in an area with a lot of active fire.
Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is handling arrangements. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Kathy Roelli said the news of Roelli's death was felt throughout Darlington Thursday.
"The whole town is upset. It touches home," she said.
Roelli was due to come home in January, Gill said.
"I guess God had a better plan for him."
"He's truly an American patriot," his aunt Kathy Roelli of Darlington said.
Roelli, 24, had served with the elite Special Forces, commonly called the Green Berets, for about two years.
Roelli grew up on the family farm in rural Darlington, the son of Dawn and Richard Roelli. He attended Darlington High School, where he played football, ran cross country, wrestled and played golf. He was also active in school plays and competed in Odyssey of the Mind and forensics. He graduated in 2006 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Kathy Roelli said joining the Army was a natural fit for her nephew.
"We're a very patriotic family," she said, noting Roelli wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who served in WWII.
"He really believed in what he was doing."
She recalled him as a funny, creative young man with lots of friends. He was also active in the Baptist church.
"He was a cool kid," she said.
His uncle, Greg Roelli, agreed.
"He was easy going," he said. "He was always out to help someone else."
Kathy Roelli remembered many happy times Roelli spent with his extended family in the Darlington area.
"We're a big Swiss family," she said. "There were lots of cousins. They had a lot of fun" at family gatherings for birthdays and holidays.
As of Thursday night, details concerning Roelli's death were unavailable from the Army.
Roelli's family was notified of his death Wednesday afternoon. Richard Roelli told family members that he came in from farm chores for lunch in the early afternoon and knew something was wrong as soon as he saw two uniformed men at his home, said Julie Gill, also an aunt.
Richard Roelli and Matt Roelli, Roelli's older brother who lives in Verona, traveled Thursday to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where the remains were expected to arrive. His mother now lives in Texas and was planning to meet them there, Gill said.
Richard Roelli was unavailable for comment, but told the Associated Press his son "was the best of the best."
Gill, of Shullsburg, shared memories of Roelli that were similar to those of his other family members.
"I can't believe it," she said. "He was a really nice guy. He had a quirky sense of humor ... (he was a) smart kid."
Gill also recalled that Roelli really wanted to serve his country and left college to join the Army.
"It's what he really wanted to do," she said. "This was his dream, to fight for his country."
He told his father he wanted to go where he could make a difference, she said. She wasn't sure precisely where Roelli was stationed in Afghanistan, but she said she understood he volunteered to go to there and was in an area with a lot of active fire.
Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is handling arrangements. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Kathy Roelli said the news of Roelli's death was felt throughout Darlington Thursday.
"The whole town is upset. It touches home," she said.
Roelli was due to come home in January, Gill said.
"I guess God had a better plan for him."