Corey J. Rystad dies of injuries from I.E.D.

Rystad joined the military immediately after graduating from high school in 2004.

"Between training and everything, he's been gone since the end of last October," his brother, David Rystad, told the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald, noting that Corey Rystad's spent time training in Mississippi before he left for Iraq. "He was home on leave in June. ... That was the last time we saw him."

Rystad said his brother was a real outdoors lover, "Corey was just a fun-loving guy. I know everybody always says that, but he really was. He really, really enjoyed life. He like hunting and he played sports in high school: football, hockey and golf."

Corey Rystad also had an older sister and a younger brother.

Andrew Bertilrud, a classmate and friend, said Rystad spent part of his leave helping him look for an apartment in Duluth.

"He was always ready to help people," Bertilrud said. "He'd do anything for you."

From KARE 11