On March 27, 2020, Jared Andrew Michael Paepke, a loving son, brother, and friend, suddenly passed away at the age of 21 in Bellingham, WA. Jared was born on January 7, 1999, in Renton, WA to Susie Wik Paepke and Jon Paepke. He graduated from Kentwood High School in 2017 and was currently a Junior at Western Washington University majoring in Business and Marketing. Jared had a light that shone so brightly to every person he met. A bright shining light that was taken far too soon as he would’ve kept showing it to the world.
Jared loved to travel and wanted to see the world. He recently took his dream trip to Europe with his longtime friends. They traveled to England, Italy, and Spain to experience in person the Premier League, which was one of his great passions in life. One of his highlights of the trip was to attend a match of his favorite team, Arsenal F.C. He also saw his favorite player, Lionel Messi, play while he was in Spain. He also loved his family vacations. He made sure to experience everything from parasailing, wave runners, ATVs, taking an adventure on a glass-bottom boat, meeting dolphins, to swimming with sharks. Some of the things he loved were rainy days, sports (especially Seahawk games when he would become most animated as if he was playing the game), video games, snow days, superhero movies, and crazy socks. But most of all, he loved being with his family and friends.
Jared was the most caring and loving son and he will always be deeply loved by his parents. He was adored by his two sisters, Brittany and Grace. Jared was also loved by a group of friends who grew up together and were like brothers. Jared’s kindness, smile, laugh, fun personality, and the great hugs that he gave will be forever missed. But his loving and kind spirit will live in our hearts forever.
Jared was preceded in death by his Grandmother Dianne Paepke. He is survived by his mother Susie Wik Paepke, his father Jon Paepke, his stepmother Natasha Paepke, his two sisters Brittany and Grace Paepke, his Grandfather Bylund Wik, his Grandmother Phyllis Wik, his Grandfather Jerry Paepke, and many Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins.
A private ceremony will be held at Greenwood Memorial on October 2, 2020.
A Memorial that truly honors Jared will be held when it can be planned without any restrictions so all can attend.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation: https://www.sads.org/Donate#.X2fggW5FzD4
We love you Jared so very much and our hearts will forever be shattered.
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