WCCO -- Three Minnesota families are dealing with the loss of loved ones killed in Iraq. Dan Drevnick, James Wertish and Carlos Wilcox died Thursday night when a rocket hit their base near Basra.

In central Minnesota, a family is grieving for 20-year-old James Wertish.

"It's the farthest thing from your mind of it actually -- it hits hard when it hits that close to home," said Gary Wertish.

Wertish grew up in Olivia, Minn. and before he left for war, helped his father on the family farm. In February, he was deployed with more than 1,000 other members of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division. After training they went to Iraq in April.

"He was a fun-loving guy. He loved fishing and hunting, he kind of lived for that," said Gary Wertish.

The Wertish family said Gov. Pawlenty, Sen. Klobuchar, and Sen. Franken called them to offer their condolences.

Seventy Minnesotans have died in Iraq in the last six years.