Gwen Louise (Reek) O'Donnell, 61, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep at home on Friday, March 28, 2014, of natural causes.

Gwen was born May 15, 1952, to Jean Elizabeth Stearns and Leonard Harvey Reek at Mirror Lake Hospital in Waupaca, Wis. She was the third of four daughters. Gwen attended grade school at St. Peter's Lutheran School in Weyauwega, Wis. She started high school at Weyauwega-Fremont High School and received her diploma from Waupaca High School.

Gwen worked more than 40 years as a bookkeeper at which she excelled. Her love of antiques and refinishing furniture stemmed from working with Don Radtke Auction Service in central Wisconsin. Gwen and her mother formed a strong bond when they both worked at Lakeview Manor in Weyauwega.

On June 18, 1983, Gwen married Michael O'Donnell at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Weyauwega, and followed him to Marshfield, Wis., where she worked for Century-21 Real Estate. When Michael was promoted, Gwen moved with him to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, the place of her dreams in "the Rockies."

Gwen loved the mountains and John Denver. She was a member of the "John Denver Fan Club," and when John Denver died she made her collection of video recordings available to her fellow fans. VH1 contacted her to obtain 25 video tapes from her to assist in their project "VH1 Behind the Music: John Denver." During this time Gwen met her first sister/friend, Pat "Moose" Feldmeier of Colorado. She worked for Big Country Communications in Coeur d'Alene in the late 80's and early 90’s; later on she worked for Service Master/Merry Maids after the turn of the century. Gwen met her second sister/friend while perusing the antique and gift shops of North Idaho, Helen Grahl, of Coeur d'Alene. Shortly thereafter she met her third sister/friend, Sharon Koser, of Hayden, Idaho, at a Spokane Walleye Club meeting. She was also close friends with Diane Fisher of Spokane Valley, Wash., another Walleye Club member.

Gwen had a variety of interests in crafts. She did amazing counted cross-stitch, and her work was impeccable. Her most recent interest was in painting techniques to make new pieces appear to be older, distressed and rusty in the shabby chic styles, among others. Gwen always enjoyed a good joke or cartoon.

Gwen was preceded in death by her mother, Jean Elizabeth Reek; two nephews: Sean Tedesko and Brandon Timm; and aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, in-laws and out-laws too numerous to mention.

Gwen is survived by her husband, Michael, of Coeur d'Alene; two daughters: Lisa Gonzalez of Wausau, Wis., and Jeanie O'Donnell of Post Falls, Idaho; four grandchildren: Celia Jensen of Wausau, Wis., Kevin Jensen of Weyauwega, Wis., Justin Jensen of Wausau, Wis., and Ashlyn Provost of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; father, Len Reek of Weyauwega; sisters: Carole Nemec (Gary) of Waller, Texas, Bonnie Timm (Steve) of Pine River, Wis., and Marcia Harris of Milwaukee, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, in-laws and out-laws. She loved all of you.

A celebration of Gwen’s Life will be held at 2 p.m. (Pacific time) Saturday April 5th, 2014, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene; (208)664-3143. Donations can be made in Gwen O'Donnell's name to the National Parks Conservation Association in lieu of flowers. You can visit www.npca.org to donate and look for the donations link; there you'll be able to find the memorial section. Notification recipient: Michael O'Donnell, 5572 N. Sapling St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815.