A Sioux Falls soldier has died while serving in Baghdad, Iraq.

28-year-old Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Vrooman suffered wounds when an improvised explosive device detonated while his unit was conducting combat operations. He died Tuesday.

KSFY spoke with his grandfather Danny Vrooman of Sioux Falls, who remembers him as a happy, fun loving, family man who made a career out of serving his country and died while doing so.

"I don't think he would have any misgivings about the way he spent his life," said Danny while sitting at his kitchen table. On the wall behind him hangs a service picture of Jeremy and his brother Justin, who is also in the military.

Jeremy had been stationed in Germany with his wife Latrecia and two kids. Danny had been looking forward for them to come home to Sioux Falls for Christmas. He and his wife Hazel hadn't seen them in over a year, but then the phone rang. Letrecia and a relative called the house with bad news. 

Jeremy had passed.

"It's a real shock, but it was nice to be able to hear it from people you love," said Danny.

In his nine years in the military, Jeremy had served across the U.S. and completed on full tour in Iraq. He was working on a second. Danny says his grandson knew the dangers, but was proud to protect America.

"His life was... meant something because there's people with a better life because he lived," said Danny.

The Vroomans say dates for their grandson's funeral services are still being finalized. However, they tell KSFY that Jeremy will be buried at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. Sometime after the funeral, they plan to hold a memorial service in Sioux Falls.

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KSFY's Drew Sandholm can be reached by phone at (605) 373-7372 or by e-mail.