Kat “Gail” Aleana Bridenbaker, age 77, passed away on November 9, 2021. She was a resident of Green Mountain Falls for 31 years and was formerly a resident of Evergreen, Colorado. She was a mother, Grandmother, and worked as a Upholster for 42 years before retiring.

Kat was born on April 21, 1944, to Maude luella Smith and Bill Bridenbaker, in New York, she then later was adopted by Lt. Col. USAF, Keith Darwin Heaton, in Nebraska. In 1965, she married Larry Benson, then later married Ed Hoover in 1978, then later divorced. She opened an upholstery shop in 1998, in the town of Green Mountain Falls, with her daughter Deanna LeBeau where they became a staple in the community. 

Kat was fond of doing things with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed sewing and raising Great danes. She loved living in the mountains and driving her big electric blue dodge truck. Kat attended General H. H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany. Now known as Wiesbaden High School, where she graduated in 1962. She then went on to earn an associate’s degree from Pikes Peak community college for Upholstery.

She is survived by her Daughter: Deanna Helene LeBeau; her siblings: DeLorres and Pat Pepicelli of Chelmsford, MA, Linda and David MacIntyre of Wichita, KS, Kathy and Patrick Wherritt of Wichita, KS, Keith Jr. and Patti Heaton of Kearney, NE, Mark and Tamera Heaton of Kearney, NE, Kern Heaton of Kearney, NE; her grandchildren: Meghan Busnardo, Jacob LeBeau, Tessa Bridenbaker, and Kristie Bridenbaker; her great-grandchildren: Lyla Busnardo and Isaac Olgren; her Aunt Martha and Ron Sanford of Painted Post, NY; Nephews and nieces, Trent Pepicelli, Jared MacIntyre, Jolynn MacIntyre, Balin and Maggie Lynn Heaton, Tyson Heaton, Stephen Heaton, Nicholas Heaton, Jessica Heaton and Emma Heaton, and numerous great nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Keith and Maude, and her Daughter Karrie Lorrina Benson. 

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, December 1st at The Church In The Wildwood in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado. A reception will follow at the Sally Bush Building.