Team Jayden

As a family, we're excited to attend this year's HopeFest to honor and remember Jayden Lee Kline. 

Her death was a tragedy.

Her life was one of brightness and joy!

Jayden, 18 years old, was shot and killed on December 21, 2023. Our hearts are broken. Our grief deep. She was taken away from us way too soon. Her passing leaves a huge hole in the fabric of our family.

Jayden recently graduated from Columbia Heights High School where she competed on the swim and synchronized swimming teams and served as a wrestling team manager. She and her mom Jennifer rarely missed a Heights football game, always present to cheer on her two older brothers Tristan and Brandon.

Jayden (aka Jadie, Little Miss, Jadie Jades, Little Miss Jadie, Jadie Lee) was beautiful, brilliant, and big-hearted. She opened her door with arms spread wide and a big smile on her face offering a tight hug to anyone – human or animal - who needed comfort or a safe place to be.

She loved playing with her family and friends – from camping with her aunties, uncles and cousins, to boating on the St. Croix, to organizing game nights, or just shopping, watching movies or sitting around a bonfire with her family and many friends. She was a force of nature and she was unstoppable.

In addition to people, Jayden loved the many animals in her life. She couldn't resist welcoming a furry face (and sometimes even scaly or feathered one) into her family's home.

Jayden not only gave selflessly in life, but also in death. Jayden was a tissue and organ donor and thereby supported the life and health of others through her tissue donation with LifeSource. Please follow Jayden’s example of generosity and consider being a donor.

Jayden was preceded in death by her father, David Kline, and her grandmas, Rita Kline and Pat Jungbauer.

She is survived by her mother, Jennifer Kline; brothers, Tristan (friend, Helen) and Brandon (friend, Perla) Kline; grandpas, Ron Kline and Steve Jungbauer; uncles and aunties, Gary Jungbauer, Michelle Jungbauer, Phil (Chris) Kline, Beth (Curt) Gray, Annette Heutmaker, Renee (Steve) Skradde, Cathy (Scott) Galloway; cousins, Trent (Kelly) Kline, Maddy (Luke) Leaon, Larissa (Paul) Blume, Ron (Katie) Kline; Megan & Kelsey (friend, Pram) Heutmaker; Ryan, Tessa (friend, Brandon), & Maria (friend, Jake) Skradde; Shannon & Michael Galloway; and her whole pack of “littles” (aka second cousins); and her wide posse of friends.

Jayden’s legacy of love and kindness for all will be carried within each and every one of us, in her name, memory, and honor. She will be ever-present in our hearts.