Memories of Aaron "DJAJ" Keith Hjelt

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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Jack Hjelt

Various memories of a truly passionate and compassionate 'one of a kind guy' whose life will continue to motivate these same qualities in so many people. Blessings to Aaron an all who know and love him.

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Curtis Esteb

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Comments:

Curtis Esteb

So true So true So true

Emily Wellington

Shared a heart

Curtis Esteb

Matt McCune

Amylee Thornhill

Curtis Esteb

Polly Hjelt

Laura Ryan

Katie Cook-Bretson

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Please consider a donation to Aaron Hjelt Memorial Fund.

$7,170.00

total raised

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Matt McCune

Curtis Esteb

Laura Ryan

Katie Cook-Bretson

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Scott Snelling

Matt McCune

Curtis Esteb

Laura Ryan

Katie Cook-Bretson

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Scott Snelling

Comments:

Matt McCune

Aaron called Jeff, Luke and I and said.........."we're going to see Pearl Jam.......I have tickets" we immediately... Read more Aaron called Jeff, Luke and I and said.........."we're going to see Pearl Jam.......I have tickets" we immediately said yes and... Read more Aaron called Jeff, Luke and I and said.........."we're... Read more

Curtis Esteb

🤙 🤙 🤙

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Matt McCune

Curtis Esteb

Laura Ryan

Lisa Esteb

Susan Rhoderick

Scott Snelling

Matt McCune

Curtis Esteb

Laura Ryan

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Matt McCune

Andrew Shepard

Curtis Esteb

Laura Ryan

Katie Cook-Bretson

Lisa Esteb

Susan Rhoderick

Scott Snelling

Comments:

Curtis Esteb

Awesome Awesome Awesome

Laura Ryan

amazing photo of the legend. amazing photo of the legend. amazing photo of the legend.

Lisa Esteb

Ditto what Laura and Curt said - what a photo / what a guy! Ditto what Laura and Curt said - what a photo / what a guy! Ditto what Laura and Curt said - what a photo / what... Read more

Matt McCune

Curtis Esteb

Laura Ryan

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Scott Snelling

Comments:

Matt McCune

Homeboy set up an Easter Egg hunt for our kids and a few others. We went out to his house and for the hunt... Read more Homeboy set up an Easter Egg hunt for our kids and a few others. We went out to his house and for the hunt and DJ was in classic... Read more Homeboy set up an Easter Egg hunt for our kids and ... Read more

Laura Ryan

I cannot tell you how much I love this photo: true Aaron, and nothing less. I cannot tell you how much I love this photo: true Aaron, and nothing less. I cannot tell you how much I love this photo: true ... Read more

Matt McCune

Curtis Esteb

Laura Ryan

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Scott Snelling

Herman Watson

2018, Winter Wall - Townsend, MT

Look What I Can Do

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Abbey Rhoderick

Curtis Esteb

Laura Ryan

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Scott Snelling

Adalayde Scott

Shared a heart

Susan Rhoderick

Shared a heart

Katie Cook-Bretson

Shared a heart

Katie Cook-Bretson

Curtis Esteb

Laura Ryan

Greg Gilbert

Susan Rhoderick

Lisa Esteb

Scott Snelling

Comments:

Katie Cook-Bretson

Aaron and I skied Top Notch Peak in Yellowstone this May. It was the only peak he skied this year and he reminisced about missing Bozeman, the access, and friends to ski with. He ordered a new AC unit and had it shipped to Bozeman so I met him 1/2 way to get a ski in together. He arrived late because he had to stop and take photos of the storm. The early evening sky was beautifully dramatic. We camped on a pullout by a river and caught up on all of life's happenings staying up too late for an early morning departure. He caught me up on all the details & expressed excitement of his summer ahead.

We started a bit late without any worries. Skiing with him was always both calm and pushed my capacity to keep up. He navigated with ease. The top of the ski was steeper than my mama tolerance wanted to push so he coached me down safely, then we hollered for what felt like endless powder turns. We wanted to keep the day going so we skinned up a little arm and made his mom a video to compare music rhythm to skiing.. "One, two, three, four.."  he sang the entire way down.

I am endlessly grateful for the many peaks we skied together. The days were always filled to the brim: my pockets packed with snacks to stay close to his pace (but DO NOT step on his skis!), navigating new mountains (we never skied anything twice, except to train, of course), contemplating all of life (and telling every minute detail to a story), yelling as loud as possible into the big vastness (often with some emotional release or half naked), critiquing our efficiencies & techniques (mostly him to me), and finding hot springs or eating every last snack to extend the day as long as possible. I am going to miss hearing your voice on mountain tops, Aaron.

Aaron and I skied Top Notch Peak in Yellowstone this May. It was the only peak he skied this year and he ... Read more Aaron and I skied Top Notch Peak in Yellowstone this May. It was the only peak he skied this year and he reminisced about missing... Read more Aaron and I skied Top Notch Peak in Yellowstone this... Read more