Gwen O’Brien

August 30, 1947 - May 01, 2026

Obituary

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. Immediately following, there will be a gathering at Rodeside Grill, 6317 Rostad Dr., Windsor, WI 53598.

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

Events

Visitation

Fri May 8, 2026 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT

St. Olaf Catholic Church • 623 Jefferson St, Deforest, WI 53532

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Mass of Christian Burial

Fri May 8, 2026 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

St. Olaf Catholic Church • 623 Jefferson St, Deforest, WI 53532

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Gwen

Ginger Pippert( Walt)

Friend • 7 days ago

She was a genuine sweetheart. I remember when she first retired and so loved delivering meals on wheels in our town . I only remember her sweet and caring manners. I remember waiting at the cross country meets with her; I was watching for my daughter; she was watching g for her son.. super lady and kindness was her trademark..

Vicki Olson

Friend • 8 days ago

Gwen and I met as operators atWisconsin Bell Telephone company in Madison in the 60’s. I remember her talking about how Jim proposed to her. Everything was planned out and it sounded like a princess story. So in love. Then after a few years I went to work at Oscar Mayer in the telecommunications area of OM. She happened to be working at AT&T and OM was hee client for pay phones. We had quite a few around the Madison Plant so when we started discussing various location of where we needed more or less or trlocation due to construction we would get together and go out to lunch. Because I worked at OM in the telecommunication field I got to know all the OM office employees and the clerks and supervisors in the plant so I also got to know Jim pretty well. What a special couple. Gwen and I belong to t same sorority from Beta Sigma Phi however I didn’t join until later so Gwen was already gone from Xi Beta Kapp.We met up again at an AT&T lunch bunch and reconnected in the 2000’s years. She also started working at Demco in DeForesr and low & behold my son Eric was also working there. She would talk to me about what a nice guy he is. Then she told me about her kidney issues. I wish I could have spoken to her more but then I also got kidney issues. But my memories of Gwen are many and wonderful,, My deepest condolences to Jim and her entire family. God bless you all and we’ll meet again!

Tom and Dawn Aschenbrenner

Family • 10 days ago

Tom and I have many fond and funny memories of times with Jim and Gwen. She was a special lady for sure! I don’t know which is my favorite memory. Bumping into Jim and Gwen at a basketball game (and who were we?) or our missing camp chairs! We’re so glad that we were able to spend time with her at Jenna’s play last winter.!

Craig Meier

Friend • 10 days ago

A very special and beautiful lady and friend for 48 years. Gwen and Jim lived across the street from my wife and I when we lived on Eldridge, Iowa. Gwen managed childare for us with our firstborn. Even tho she had 4vof her own, she treated our son as her own. Many fun times and laughs with Gwen, even while she was challenged with her health issues. GOD truly blessed us with her love, grace, sense of humor along with many other wonderful traits. We will miss seeing her as we could from time to time. GOD has a beautiful child at homewith HIM, thanks you Lord for sharing her with us.