Memories of Aaron "DJAJ" Keith Hjelt | Ever Loved

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In memory of

Aaron "DJAJ" Keith Hjelt

Lander, WY

September 15, 1978 - June 26, 2025

Sep 15, 1978 - Jun 26, 2025

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Katie Cook-Bretson

2026, Salinas de Bielsa, Spain

Aaron’s alter got a lot of love today. My friend Rose joined me to find this special place by the river. It was beautiful. Powerful. Springtime, sweet and alive. We spread a few ashes, many tears and left a little summit box for anyone who makes it there.

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Katie Cook-Bretson

2026, Salinas de Bielsa, Spain

Aaron’s alter got a lot of love today. My friend Rose joined me to find this special place by the river. It was beautiful. Powerful. Springtime, sweet and alive. We spread a few ashes, many tears and left a little summit box for anyone who makes it there.

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Sarah Tabor

I was shocked to see Aaron’s name in a list of climbers lost in 2025. Almost 20 years ago, Aaron helped me get several kids from Belgrade, MT high school out for some climbing up in Hyalite. It was their first time. His patience and expertise left them feeling confident and inspired. I’m so sorry for your loss. Though I don’t know him well, he left an impression on me and my students!

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1

Katie Cook-Bretson

Lisa Esteb

Comments:

Polly Hjelt

Hi Sarah, Aarons Mom here. Appreciate your kind words. Aaron rarely talked about himself and the many avenues... Read more Hi Sarah, Aarons Mom here. Appreciate your kind words. Aaron rarely talked about himself and the many avenues he took helping ... Read more Hi Sarah, Aarons Mom here. Appreciate your kind words.... Read more

Please consider a donation to Aaron Hjelt Memorial Fund.

$7,170.00

total raised

Learn more & give

Katie Cook-Bretson

2023, Bozeman, MT, USA

I counted 17 years spending NYE with Aaron. The first few were house parties while we called in & listened to KGLT, then he paired up with Trey to begin playing parties.. First at Seven Sushi, many years at Lockhorn, and the past several (since Covid) at the Wookies. He stressed out intensely leading up to it and everything always turned out perfectly. This year we had a beautiful tribute to Aaron. The energy he worked so intently to create was felt: love, soul, life, joy, togetherness, and sweet messiness of a fun dance floor moving together. We shared some tears, hugs and a sweaty dance floor until the wee hours. Aaron would have been proud. I hope you are all feeling his presence in the way that you know him.

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4

Erin Childre

Lisa Esteb

Katie Cook-Bretson

2024

1

Lisa Esteb

Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to Aaron's family or funeral.

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Lisa Esteb

2025, Washington

Sighting "Aaron" while on a road-trip following his beautiful celebration of life gathering - Polly and I both got a good smile and laugh out of the construction on the road. It seemed fitting. I was thinking about Arron (and all of you who miss him too) over the holidays and I was thinking about what I might build or grow in this new year that Aaron might enjoy or might honor his memory in my heart and mind. Sending love to you all in this new year.

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2

Katie Cook-Bretson

Polly Hjelt

Owen Clarke

Shared a heart

Juan Laden

2

5

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Comments:

Juan Laden

Well, I don't seem to know how this works, but in any case..... A friend in Lander found this pic in a book... Read more Well, I don't seem to know how this works, but in any case..... A friend in Lander found this pic in a book on bouldering in Fort... Read more Well, I don't seem to know how this works, but in any... Read more

Polly Hjelt

Hi Juan, I'm guessing that was in one of the books we donated to the Methodist thrift store, while cleaning... Read more Hi Juan, I'm guessing that was in one of the books we donated to the Methodist thrift store, while cleaning out the many Aaron... Read more Hi Juan, I'm guessing that was in one of the books ... Read more

Juan Laden

Thank you Polly. I meant a lot to meet you all and make that family connection. I also look forward to visiting... Read more Thank you Polly. I meant a lot to meet you all and make that family connection. I also look forward to visiting more. All the ... Read more Thank you Polly. I meant a lot to meet you all and ... Read more

Laura Ryan

Hey Folks - the fellow in the middle of the photo looks like Brandon Smith... Hey Folks - the fellow in the middle of the photo looks like Brandon Smith... Hey Folks - the fellow in the middle of the photo looks... Read more

Polly Hjelt

Thank you Laura, I come into this site periodically to see if anyone has a story, photo, memory to share.... Read more Thank you Laura, I come into this site periodically to see if anyone has a story, photo, memory to share. I so enjoy hearing... Read more Thank you Laura, I come into this site periodically... Read more

Scott Snelling

1999, Loch Morlich, Aviemore, UK

Aaron, Alasdair and I (Scott Snelling) climbed a few peaks in the Cairngorms mountains in January 1999. — with Aaron Hjelt & Alasdair Miller

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Angela Blake

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Comments:

Angela Blake

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful

Laura Deters (Knutson)

Memories of playing night games as a kid with Aaron and the other kids in the neighborhood. Reading about all he had accomplished-wow! Sending my condolences to you, Gary, Polly, Duane and family.

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Angela Blake

Lisa Esteb

Polly Hjelt

Comments:

Polly Hjelt

Thank you for your kind words Laura, We did have a special neighborhood. There were 32 homes in our Neighborhood... Read more Thank you for your kind words Laura, We did have a special neighborhood. There were 32 homes in our Neighborhood watch and I think... Read more Thank you for your kind words Laura, We did have a ... Read more

Sue Esteb

Shared a heart

Sue Esteb

Ames Lake, WA, USA

Aaron swimming at our lake house

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2

Angela Blake

Lisa Esteb

Katie Cook-Bretson

2024, Wind River Peak, Wyoming, USA

Our early start before sunrise was a little delayed, as usual but we made it out just before the sun went down. A perfect day in the mountains.

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2

Lisa Esteb

Katie Cook-Bretson

2024, Wind River Peak, Wyoming, USA

Aaron and I ran this peak a year ago, today, on his birthday. It was one incredible day for the books, he said it was his favorite birthday, but that could have been the endorphins of jumping into 2 cold lakes or the birthday cake on the summit. Regardless, it was a full day hearing the story about the first time he climbed it solo, the summer he ran away to the mountains to climb, when he was 17. He took a compass, bivy, can of spaghetti O's and told his friends to pick him up in 36 hours. Love to you Aaron, thank you for all the joyful adventures pushing my capacity and teaching me how to live so fully and presently.

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Lisa Esteb

Erin Childre

Comments:

Polly Hjelt

Thank you Katie, Now that I can relax a bit, I am so enjoying reading all these wonderful memories. Please,... Read more Thank you Katie, Now that I can relax a bit, I am so enjoying reading all these wonderful memories. Please, everyone, feel free... Read more Thank you Katie, Now that I can relax a bit, I am so... Read more

Ainsley Gorrilla

https://share.icloud.com/photos/007e8HGmGdSKsL_GKA9jZqWdA

During our game of hide and seek I did a time lapse. I discovered Aaron’s surprise entry in the video after the Spain trip.

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2

Susan Rhoderick

Polly Hjelt

Lisa Esteb

Comments:

Lisa Esteb

Oh, this is just classic Aaron! Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us Ainsley. Oh, this is just classic Aaron! Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us Ainsley. Oh, this is just classic Aaron! Thank you so much for... Read more

Polly Hjelt

Thanks Ainsley, That was so cool. Did Aaron film it? If I could figure out how to post these photos/videos,... Read more Thanks Ainsley, That was so cool. Did Aaron film it? If I could figure out how to post these photos/videos, I would post a few... Read more Thanks Ainsley, That was so cool. Did Aaron film it?... Read more

James Blanchard

Shared a heart

1

Comments:

Polly Hjelt

Thanks Jaimie, I am so enjoying hearing from Aaron's days in Bloomington as well as his days in Bozeman and... Read more Thanks Jaimie, I am so enjoying hearing from Aaron's days in Bloomington as well as his days in Bozeman and Lander. Thanks Jaimie, I am so enjoying hearing from Aaron's... Read more

Madelynn Romano

2015, Washington, USA

Family reunion — with Aaron and Madelynn

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Lisa Esteb

Comments:

Madelynn Romano

‘Cousin Aaron’ was what me and my sister called Aaron. I don’t remember were that name came from, but that... Read more ‘Cousin Aaron’ was what me and my sister called Aaron. I don’t remember were that name came from, but that is always how I have... Read more ‘Cousin Aaron’ was what me and my sister called Aaron.... Read more

Madelynn Romano

Shared a heart

3

1

Polly Hjelt

Lisa Esteb

Comments:

Polly Hjelt

Hi Madelynn, Good point, "he made a life around things he loved". All too often we lose that as we become... Read more Hi Madelynn, Good point, "he made a life around things he loved". All too often we lose that as we become adults and settle ... Read more Hi Madelynn, Good point, "he made a life around things... Read more

Kim Berly

2024, Bozeman, MT, USA

DJAJ NYE 2024

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4

Lisa Esteb

Erin Childre

Ryan Schroeder

1996, Bloomington, MN, USA

There’s that tongue again!

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3

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Ryan Schroeder

1997, Hennepin County, MN, USA

Aaron’s “bed painting” for which he won an award … Dylan’s lyrics come to mind: “the empty-handed painter from your streets / is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets.”

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3

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Ryan Schroeder

1999, Bloomington, MN, USA

Local Weekly published on Aaron’s birthday

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6

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Katie Cook-Bretson

Ryan Schroeder

1996, Lake Louise, AB, Canada

Aaron hucking a cornice

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5

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Jeff Riedel

2023, Manhead Mountain, Montana, USA

5

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Laura Ryan

Jeff Riedel

2024, Riverton, WY, USA

4

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

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Please consider a donation to Aaron Hjelt Memorial Fund.

$7,170.00

total raised

Learn more & give

See all contributions

See all contributions

Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to Aaron's family or funeral.

Browse sympathy flowers

Created with love by Katie Cook-Bretson (Aaron's friend), Duane Hjelt (Aaron's brother) and Polly Hjelt (Aaron's mother).

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