Jayden T. Gardner

It is with devastating sadness that we share the tragic passing of Jayden Gardner on August 22, 2026, as the result of a motorcycle accident. He was born on November 29, 2005, to Jason and Shannon Gardner, in Springfield, MA. He was a graduate of De Pere High School and was preparing to start his third year of college at UW Whitewater. He was employed with Absolute Concrete as an Accounting Assistant.

Jayden is our son, brother, amor to his special girl, grandson, great-grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend to many. Family and friends were his world. He was always ready to try a new adventure or a new food. One of his favorite things to do was stargazing, which we had the opportunity to experience with him just 4 short nights prior to his passing. Working on his car and motorcycle had become a hobby for him recently, allowing him to spend quality time with his father, just the two of them. Bowling became something he truly loved, and he was always working to improve his skills. It opened a whole new world of friends and family to him, both young and old. Some of his favorite memories were hunting with his Grandpa Willemon at his cottage. Time at the gym mattered to him; his physical health was important to him. At UW Whitewater, he was studying in the accounting program. The challenge of accounting excited him, and he was looking forward to a career in this field. His work with Absolute Concrete also meant a lot to him, and he always looked forward to work. Jayden felt that dreams and goals were most important, and he was working toward these and setting new goals every day.

Those who knew Jayden also knew laughter. You knew jokes and pranks. You knew love. He was fiercely loyal to his family, friends, and Lydia. Watching him interact with his brother, Bryson, was always a comedy show. The two of them could joke for hours. All of us have experienced his shenanigans, and our hearts feel lost without them. He could also show his sensitive side with serious and honest conversations. He frequently had heart-to-heart conversations with his mother in the evenings, when it was just the two of them. He enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his amor, Lydia, and her family. He always included Lydia in all his hopes and dreams. They had become another family to him, and he spoke of them often.

Jayden’s love and loyalty will forever live on in the hearts of his father and mother, Jason and Shannon Gardner; his brother, Bryson Gardner; his canine pups, Ruckus and Menace; his amor, Lydia, and all of her family; his great-grandmother, Adeline Gardner; his paternal grandfather, Perry Gardner; his paternal grandmother, Carolyn VandenAvond; his maternal grandparents, Patrick and Patti Willemon; his paternal aunt, Jody (Jon) Meshke, and cousin Jace; his maternal uncle, Shane (Amy) Willemon, and cousins Zachary, Alexandra, Isabella, and Sadie; his maternal aunt, Sheenah, and her significant other, Shasta Biegert; his maternal uncle, Michael (Genevieve) Willemon, and cousin Brooke; and countless other family members. He had so many friends, including Jack, Ethan M., Mason, Tyler Kelton, Ethan J., Caleb, Lucas, Taiven, Teagan, Isaiah, Adam, and so many more. The list is too long to include everyone, but you know who you are. He joins his grandfather, Bruce VandenAvond, in heaven. We know you’re talking about football right now!

Family and Friends may gather at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 North Webster Avenue in De Pere on Monday, August 31 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm followed by a prayer service at 6:30 pm. Visitation will continue at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1305 Lourdes Ave in De Pere on Tuesday, September 1 from 9:30 am to 10:45 am followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 11:00 am with Fr. James Baraniak, O.Praem presiding.

We would like to thank the many people who helped Jayden in his final moments, especially Lydia, who made sure Jayden’s final moments were not alone and were filled with love and peace.