MADISON / FORT ATKINSON - Garrett James Denman, age 34, of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2024, at UW Hospital and Clinics surrounded by family, from a predisposed genetic liver condition. He was born on April 6, 1990, in Madison, Wis., the son of Duane “Dude” Denman and Nancy (Parisi) Freye.

Garrett graduated from La Follette High School with the class of 2008. He worked for the State of Wisconsin and was an avid supporter of WHEAP (Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program). While growing up, he played youth hockey and roller hockey, as an adult. In recent years he enjoyed mountain biking, spending time at the family cabin where he was always the leader of the snowmobile rides. Garrett couldn’t help but to leave us in the dust, though he was always waiting around the corner at the next stop sign. Just recently, he learned to enjoy painting. Garrett could spend hours around the campfire telling scary stories. He loved cooking, especially on his Blackstone. He was known for what he named his “sleepy sweet tooth.” Garrett always had a smile on his face and was the life of the party. He could talk someone in to just about anything simply by looking at them with his big brown eyes. He was a devoted fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Chicago Cubs and the Packers. Above all, his son, Carter, was his whole world. They had the best time jamming to Lil’ Wayne (Carter’s namesake), writing cursive stories, making silly TikTok videos, and playing video games but above all, simply being together.

Garrett is survived by his son, Carter; mother, Nancy (Rick) Freye; father, Duane (Kathy Leatherberry) Denman; sisters, Tory (Tyler) Kehoe and Heather (Jesse Roper) Freye; brother, Ryan (Ashton) Freye; Carter’s mother, Kaity Schmear; grandmother, Jan Freye; nephew, Hudson Kehoe; nieces, Lincoln Kehoe, Liberty Roper, and Collins and Bennett Freye; as well as many other loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Vincent and Joan Parisi; grandfather, Richard Freye; and grandparents, Rachel Denman and James Lovick.

A celebration of life will take place at DOUBLEDAYS, 4586 Baxter Road, Cottage Grove, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

Memorials may be made to the family to support the ongoing care and education for Carter.

Rest easy G. Just like while snowmobiling, we know you will be waiting for us on the other side.

“If love alone could have saved you, you would have lived forever.” - David Ellsworth

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Garrett Denman

April 06, 1990 - December 09, 2024

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