Gwen O’Brien

Cottage Grove - Gwen O’Brien, age 78, passed to eternal life on May 1, 2026, at her home in Cottage Grove with her family by her side. She was born on August 30, 1947, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Lawrence Wanek and Fannie “Lee” Bailey.

Gwen graduated from Madison East High School in 1966 and attended the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh. She went on to work for AT&T for over 25 years and later worked at DEMCO in DeForest. Gwen married Jim O'Brien and together they raised four children. Along with Jim, Gwen was an avid community volunteer in DeForest.

In her childhood, she enjoyed fishing with her father. Gwen liked to vacation with her family and was a devoted Badger Fan. Most of all, she loved to spend time with her family, especially her ten grandchildren.

Gwen is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jim; her children, Chad (Julie), Mara (Noi), Erin (Adam) and Kelly (Eric); ten grandchildren; brother, Roger (Carole); many nieces, nephews and cousins in Georgia and Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Lee Wanek; and her sibling, Kerry “Anita”.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11: 00 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026, at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 623 Jefferson St, DeForest, with Fr. Jim Leeser presiding. A visitation will take place from 10: 00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow the service at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery in Westport.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin.

To view this obituary and leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
2418 N Sherman Ave
608-249-8257