Star Tribune -- An Army Ranger from Mankato, Minn., was killed Wednesday in Iraq, bringing the number of Minnesota dead in the Iraq war to 23.

First Lt. Michael Fasnacht, 25, a native of Janesville, Minn., was hit by a remote bomb Wednesday while on patrol in a Bradley fighting vehicle, his mother, Marny Fasnacht, said late Thursday. He was stationed near Tikrit in the Sunni Triangle.

The military reported that a soldier was killed in a roadside bombing Wednesday near Adwar, Iraq, 10 miles south of Tikrit.

"He was in charge of a convoy and their mission was to stop those creating havoc," his mother said. "He was trying to stop them."

She said she and her husband, Raymond, were awakened early Thursday by three officers from Fort Snelling who arrived at their home to deliver the news about the fourth eldest of their seven children.

"He believed strongly in what he was doing," Marny Fasnacht said about her son. "He definitely believed that the Iraqi people deserved freedom from tyranny."

Michael Fasnacht was based out of Fort Benning, Ga. He went into basic training shortly after getting his bachelor's degree in microbiology at Minnesota State University, Mankato, in 2000, his mother said.

He followed the military footsteps of his father, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War era, although he did not serve in the conflict. Michael Fasnacht went into active duty in 2003 and became an Army Ranger a year later, his mother said.

"He was very courageous and heroic," she said, adding that her son was very selfless. "He was a person who was adamant about defending human rights, and we're extremely proud of him."

Marny Fasnacht said she spoke with her son on Mother's Day and e-mailed him at least once a week. He usually responded quickly, she said, adding that she received one Saturday that contained two pictures.

She also got a letter from her son on Wednesday, the day he died.

In the letter, she said, her son was very proud to lead the men in his platoon and that the demanding role was "one of the best jobs" he ever had.

"He gave his life for his country in a quest to further human rights elsewhere and the rights we have here at home," she said.

Michael Fasnacht lived with his wife, Tresa, in Mankato. His body was expected to be returned to Minnesota early next week, his mother said.

Of the 23 Minnesotans who have died in the war since July 3, 2003, 22 were military personnel and one was a civilian contractor.