Gayle Marie (Wagner, Buse) O'Brian

O'Brian, Gayle Marie (Wagner, Buse) Age 72, of New Hope, MN, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 29, 2016. Gayle was born in Slayton, MN, on September 5, 1943, to Benjamin and Marie Wagner of Iona, MN. Gayle's joyful childhood was spent in Iona, MN with her two parents and four brothers, Bruce, John, Tom, and Chuck. She graduated from St. Columba High School in Iona Minnesota and attended Mankato State University and Southwest State University graduating with a BA Suma Cum Laude. She worked as CCD coordinator at St. Anns Catholic Church. She taught Health, Physical Education, and English at Gibbon Public School. She excelled in her career as Activities Coordinator at Knollwood Place senior living apartments. Gayle was a devout Catholic and her faith helped guide her throughout her life. Gayle thrived at life, dedicating herself to her family, faith, friends and health. She raised six children, instilling in them the same love, integrity, and wisdom she brought to the world. She was an energetic woman, active in many sports, such as softball, volleyball, tennis, biking, hiking, golf and bowling. Gayle had a great passion for horses! Even as a little girl she was barrel racing and roping calves in rodeos. What brought her the greatest joy was anything that involved spending time with her family, especially her grandkids. There is no light brighter than the look on her face when she was near any of her six kids or twelve grandchildren. She was a loving mother, grandmother, wife and person of faith. Additionally, she was an exceptional teacher, athlete, and so much more. Gayle was preceded in death by husband James G. O'Brian, parents Benjamin and Marie Wagner, brother's John Wagner and Tom Wagner. Gayle is survived by children, Michael (Kim) Buse, Patrick (Cathy) Buse, James C. (Patti) Buse, Lisa (Rick) Grathen, Timothy Buse (Sara Kubal), Daniel T. Buse (Nicolas Burrows), and step-son, Sean O'Brian; grandchildren, Nicole Buse, Cody Buse, Andrew Buse, Rebecca Buse, Elizabeth Buse, Kalee Buse, Kelsey Buse, Sawyer Grathen, Brekken Grathen, Nicole Faouen, Sebastian Buse, Daniel B. Buse, and step granddaughter Lindsey O'Brian; brothers, Bruce (Linda) Wagner and Chuck (Sandy) Wagner; sisters-in-law, Margaret Wagner and Judy Wagner; and many other relatives and friends. Visitation and Life Celebration will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, 4:30 8:30 pm. At 7:30 pm, please join us in honoring Gayle with stories and memories. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2016, at Pax Christi Catholic Community, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347, 9:30 am visitation, 10:30 am funeral services followed by a luncheon. Interment to follow at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Gayle O'Brian. act.alz.org/goto/… ALZ.ORG 1-800-272-3900 Washburn-McReavy.com Eden Prairie Chapel 952-975-0400

Published on July 3, 2016