Gail Deanne (Whittaker) Gridley

Gail Deanne (Whittaker) Gridley, 67, of Elizabeth, Colorado passed away Monday, July 25, 2022 in Lone Tree, Colorado following a brief illness.  She was born on November 1, 1954 to Clarence and Jean (Newkirk) Whittaker in Laramie, Wyoming and received her elementary school education in Wheatland, Wyoming.  Following her parents’ divorce, Jean moved Gail and three of her siblings to Colorado where Gail graduated from Arvada High School in 1973.  Gail married Raymond Howell in September of 1975 in Lakewood, Colorado.  The couple divorced in 1979.  In the early 1980’s, Gail met the love of her life, Dennis Gridley and they were married on November 21, 1992 in Ruskin, Nebraska. 

As a teenager, Gail babysat many children in Wheatland and helped take care of her younger siblings in Colorado.  Her career with the AT&T Long Lines began shortly after graduation with her first job as an Overseas Telephone Operator.  Her strong work ethic and ability to manage tasks and people quickly brought about many promotions.  She retired as a Manager from Lucent Technologies in 2002.

Gail and Denny enjoyed camping.  They made annual camping trips with extended family members.  When Denny retired, the two of them became snowbirds, spending their winters in Casa Grande Arizona.  Gail’s true passion was cooking.  She loved cooking meals for family and friends, and fed this passion by helping with the meals at their Elks Lodge in Casa Grande.  One of her favorite holidays was Thanksgiving in Nebraska and helping with the dinner.  When she wasn’t creating in the kitchen, Gail could be found at her sewing machine creating a quilt for a new niece or nephew, or others in her extended family.

Gail is survived by her loving husband Denny Gridley, siblings: Dana (Terry) Stencel, Robin Everett, Phil (Mona) Whittaker, Ria (Owen) Schaeffer, Deanet Davis, Kelly (Marian) Davis and Jard Davis, numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her father (1972), and mother (2020) two older sisters, Krystine (2015) and Jennifer (2012). 

For Gail’s extended Nebraska family, a graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Humboldt Cemetery in Humboldt, Nebraska with Pastor Tim Llewellyn of Faith Lutheran Church officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gail’s memory to: Southeast Nebraska Cancer Memorial Garden, 1st Street, Humboldt NE 68376 or Elks Lodge #1957, 909 E Florence Blvd, Casa Grande, AZ 85122.

Condolences can be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com.

Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-207 N. Nemaha Street-Humboldt, NE 68376 (402) 862-2915.

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