Ava (Aaron) Rogers

ALBANY - Aaron Michael Catherine Rogers, age 20, of Albany/Oregon, unexpectedly passed away on July 26, 2025. He was born on December 21, 2004, in Oconomowoc, to proud parents, Jeffrey and Alexa (Kleiboer) Rogers.

Aaron graduated from Oregon High School in 2023. He created friendships not only with students, but also with many teachers. He would draw his teachers meaningful portraits of them or someone special to them as gifts. He made a difference in so many OSD teachers, administrators and staff members’ lives. In high school, he was proud to be an Oregon Panther, and was always excited to cheer on his friends and peers at sporting events, especially hockey! His senior year, he was excited to spend his mornings with Mr. Prahl in “house building class.” He was also in the AVID program and not only made lifelong friends in that group but also developed a meaningful friendship with his teacher. Aaron didn’t open up and share his struggles with most, but no words were needed for Ms. Ranallo to see that he was having a difficult day. She would remind him of what a smart, talented, resilient and strong human he was and bring a smile to his face. He made a difference in the Oregon community with his kindness and compassion. He would see people struggling, like he often was, and would do his best to help them feel better.

He was accepted and enrolled into UW-Milwaukee and planned to study social services. He was passionate about helping others feel included and accepted. He wanted the needs and voices of every human to be heard. Sadly, he was unable to start college in the fall of 2023 due to his struggles with mental illness. Aaron enjoyed spending time with special needs children, especially those at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.  Throughout his sister’s seven-month CICU stay there, he met other children battling an illness and would try to help bring a smile to their face.  He was patient, empathetic and tremendously caring with the children he met there and at the Ronald McDonald House we lived in. He was always there for his younger, medically complex sister, Ailyn.

Aaron was a very creative and talented artist. He also enjoyed playing music. He had a collection of instruments that included a drum set, large keyboard and guitar - both acoustic and electric. He was self-taught and took pride in his natural music ability. He enjoyed playing video games with his friends, skiing in the winter, riding motorcycles and dirt bikes, skateboarding, going for bike rides and exploring the outdoors in general.  Aarons favorite sport was hockey! He played several seasons as an Oregon Panther and was a Badgers Hockey enthusiast! Some of his and our best memories include hockey tournament weekends, watching him play on the ice, but more importantly spending time with our Oregon Hockey family. He loved traveling and making memories with his family. Some of his favorite destinations included Cabo, Playa Mujeres, Key West and going on a cruise in the Caribbean. Most recently, he and his family visited Disney (Make-A-Wish trip for his 6-year-old sister) and he had so much fun. He was looking forward to returning to Disney World again someday.  Aaron had a special place in his heart for all animals and cherished the companionship of his beloved dogs, Jack, Lucy, Mac and Louis and cats, Oreo, Toro, Molly, Daisy and Gatsby, along with several guinea pigs, turtles, crabs and more.

Aaron was a very spiritual person. He was usually the first one up for Sunday church. Throughout the recent years, Aaron turned to our Lord and Savior to guide him when he was lost, give him strength when he was weak and wrap His arms around him when he felt alone. He wore many meaningful crosses on his neck, wrists and carried his great-grandfather’s rosary in his pocket every time he left the house. That rosary was very meaningful to him, and he had it with him through his last moments on earth.  

Aaron will be dearly missed by his parents, Jeffrey and Alexa (Kleiboer) Rogers; three sisters, Audrey Rogers, Anja Rogers and Ailyn Rogers; two brothers, Maksim Rogers and Myles Rogers (who shared a birthday with Aaron); maternal grandparents, Diane (Schneider)and Richard Kleiboer; paternal grandparents, Lynn and Kenny Rogers; aunt, Samantha (Joseph) Kalkopf; uncle, Matt Rogers; godfather, Casey Hogan; godmother, Jaclyn Hogan; cousins, Bailey and Blake; many Schneider family aunts, uncles, and cousins including those who were especially supportive in his life, Ann and Chris Stone, James and Barbara Schneider and Rita (Jan) Hogan. Aaron will be missed by the many friends he made in so many facets of his life, especially three close friends who were always there when he needed them, Cameron Mueller, Joey Zuehkle and Jesse Larson. He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Marge Deutschendorf; great-aunt, Catherine Zauner; and great-grandparents, Alex and Ruth Schneider.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025, with Pastor Don Hougard presiding. Fellowship and a celebration of Aaron’s life will immediately follow the service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of the service on Saturday.

Aaron quietly fought a battle with mental illness for years. Despite his deep struggles, he brought immense joy and everlasting love to so many!

God saw him getting tired, a cure was not to be. He wrapped him in His loving arms and whispered, “Come to me.” He suffered much in silence, his spirit did not bend. He faced his pain with courage until the very end. He tried SO HARD to stay with us but his fight was not in vain. God took him to His loving home and freed him of his pain.

“So you have a pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” - John 16:22

To my baby, in life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place no one else could ever fill! Thank you for making me a mom and introducing me to a love I never knew existed. Goodnight, not goodbye, my love. For I will see you again soon. Love, Mom

To my yay-yay, From the moment I laid eyes on you, you showed me how deep and powerful love could be. I loved you then, I love you now, and I will love you for eternity.  Love, Dad

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rogers Family. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515