June 16, 2005 at 7:27 a.m.
First Lt. Michael John Fasnacht
SERVICE FRIDAY
First Lt. Michael John Fasnacht
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 17th at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato with Fr. Richard Colletti and Fr. Syl Brown officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at the St. Ann’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Janesville.
Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Janesville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Lieutenant Michael J. Fasnacht Army ROTC Endowment Scholarship.
Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home of Janesville is handling funeral arrangements.
Michael John was born February 8, 1980, in Mankato, Minn., to Ray and Marny (Sexton) Fasnacht. He was a graduate of the 1998 class from Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School. He continued his education at Minnesota State University at Mankato.
During the summer of 2000 Michael attended Basic Training and Advance Individual Training from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he was the Honor Graduate of his class.
Michael was united in marriage on December 21, 2002 to Tresa Rongitsch at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, in Lindstrom, Minn.
In 2003 he earned his bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Mankato State University. As a Distinguished Military Graduate he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, Infantry. Michael and Tresa were stationed at Fr. Benning, Georgia where he graduated with Honors from Infantry Officer Basic Course and completed Ranger School. He was assigned to 2nd platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division.
On November 30, 2004 Michael was promoted to First Lieutenant. In January 2005, he was deployed to Iraq. Michael’s awards included Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Basic Parachutist’s Badge, and Air Assault Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Michael John was dedicated and loyal to his Wife, God, Family, and his Country.
He is survived by his wife, Tresa; by his parents, Ray and Marny Fasnacht of rural Janesville; by his siblings, Sam Fasnacht of Eagle Lake, Matt Fasnacht, seminarian, of Janesville, Chris and Becky Fasnacht and their son, Jordan, of Clarinda, IA, Julie Fasnacht of Mankato, Jonathan Fasnacht of Janesville, Mary Beth Fasnacht of Janesville; by his maternal grandparents, Jack and Peggy Sexton of Socorro, NM; by his mother and father-in-law, Thomas and Teresa Rongitsch of Lindstrom, MN; by three brothers-in-law, Jesse and Andria and their children, Nathan and Matthew, of Grand Forks, ND, Thomas N. Rongitsch of St. Paul, Joshua Rongitsch of Anchorage, AK; by his grandparents-in-law, Michael (and his late wife, Irene) Silva of Inver Grove Heights, Shirley Silva of St. Paul; by many aunts and uncles, cousins and other relatives.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Clem and Rose Fasnacht; by grandparents-in-law, Francis and Elizabeth Rongitsch.
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