Amanda Hagel (Kinsey) Breidenbach

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There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone the light remains.  Amanda Hagel (Kinsey) Breidenbach, 38, passed away Sunday, December 13 in her home after a 3 year fight with breast cancer. 

Amanda was born to Bret and Sue Hagel in Great Falls, MT on June 18, 1982.  She was the middle child of two brothers who love her so much and spoiled by both.  She was raised in Great Falls and graduated from CMR in 2000.  She loved to spend time with her Grandma Lewis.  After graduation, she attended the University of Wyoming where she had earned an academic scholarship. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and made lasting relationships with people and always had fond memories to share. In 3.5 years, she graduated and moved back to Great Falls to be with the people she loved the most-her family.  She started a job at Justice Court and met Rees (Josef) Kinsey.  Out of this relationship her pride and joy, Averie, was born.  Later, Amanda met Cole who made her the happy to no end, full of laughs and deep conversations.  Cole has been an amazing life partner for Amanda, and their time was definitely not long enough. 

Amanda left her job at Justice Court to become a staff coordinator at the Great Falls Clinic.  After a short period of time, Amanda joined the team at Benefis in Risk Management.  She later was promoted to manager of Care Coordination. Her work family was a center of support and created enduring relationships.  She was involved in the Great Falls Community Homeless Housing Coalition. 

Amanda’s greatest passion in life revolved around Averie.  She was truly born to be a mom, and a great one she was.  No matter how she felt, Averie was her focus.  She logged many more miles that one could plan for softball practice and tournaments, not to mention play practice, dance recitals, and anything related to growing a young woman.  Averie was the reason for her last smile. 

Amanda loved to shop, especially for shoes.  She always found bargains in her tiny 5.5 shoe size that would say “buy me”.  She had a closet any shoe lover would envy.  She looked fabulous strutting around in her shoes thanks to Big Sky Core Sports, a place she loved to go and found a confidence she never had before.  Another pastime of Amanda’s was to write sci-fi novels, watch horror movies, and anything related to Star Wars and Harry Potter. 

Survivors include her husband Cole, daughter Averie and step-daughter Lauren, her parents Bret and Sue (Lewis), brothers Scott (Arika) and Matt (Shannon), 5 rowdy nephews, Grandmother Sharon Hagel, numerous aunts and uncles with as many cousins, as well as her soul-sister Rachel Turner. 

Preceded in death by her Grandmother Maxine Lewis, Uncle Kirby, Aunt Celeste, Grandpa Russell Lewis, and Grandpa Bruce Hagel. 

We would like to give a special thanks to Sletten Cancer Center, her home nurse Nikki, and all of Amanda’s Angels.  

A private graveside ceremony will be held for immediate family only.  We hope to have a celebration of life this spring.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite cancer prevention research charity.  

Amanda’s illness did not define her, her strength and courage did.  Amanda lived a life to promote kindness to others, and “Be Kind” was a motto she was often heard saying. 

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