Born on June 22, 1950, in Des Moines, Iowa, Gwen was the daughter of Chesley and Lorraine Waterman. She was the youngest of four beautiful daughters. Gwen adored her sisters Ronni, Lorrie, and Cindy, and they adored her. Gwen graduated from Des Moines North High School in 1968, where she was a cheerleader, a role that perfectly suited her bright smile and genuine enthusiasm. Gwen continued her education at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, where she was a cheerleader for the (now) Storm, became a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority, and earned a degree in education.
It was at Simpson where Gwen met the love of her life, Steve Eaton. They were married in 1971 at Smith Chapel on campus, beginning a 54-year journey filled with lots of love and many great memories.
Gwen and Steve’s early married life unfolded on a farm near Oshkosh, Nebraska. Life in the sandhills of western Nebraska revolved around farming, gardening, canning, teaching kindergarten and making wonderful life-long friends. Oshkosh is also where they welcomed their greatest joys, daughters Erika in 1977 and Willa in 1980.
In 1983 the Eatons settled in Atlantic, Iowa. There Gwen poured her heart into raising her daughters, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the town had to offer. Gwenie was quite the busy gal in Atlantic. If there was a club she was likely in it: Birthday Club, Salad Club and Gourmet Dinner Club were just a few. She volunteered at the United Methodist Church and often served as Erika and Willa’s classroom mother. Gwen taught preschool, GED and ESL and was a caseworker for adults with disabilities through the Southwest Iowa Mental Health Center. Always at the center of it all was her family, and they were her priority and her pride. Her kindness and love knew no bounds.
After the girls were grown, Steve and Gwen moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. They enjoyed cheering on the Huskers, visiting with family and friends, and taking trips to Kansas City to visit their daughters and only grandchild, Lauren Ellwanger.
Gwen made many cherished memories with her family over the years. She loved the simple joy of gathering in the kitchen with her family—preparing, cooking, and sharing meals filled with laughter and love. Whether it was a holiday feast or a weekend together, every meal felt special with Gwen. She loved the family trips to Estes Park, Christmas outings to the Kansas City Plaza, shopping with her daughters and granddaughter, and celebrating many birthdays, holidays, and family events.
Gwen lived out her values of kindness, listening well, and caring deeply. Her warmth was felt in every hug, every handwritten card, every thoughtful gesture. She made people feel seen and valued, and in doing so, she quietly changed lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Chesley and Lorraine, her dear sisters, Lorrie Streyffeler and Cynthia Cannon, and her parents-in-law Gene and Marjorie Eaton. She leaves behind her husband Steve; her daughters, Erika Ellwanger (Nick) and Willa Eaton (Greg Richter); her treasured granddaughter, Lauren; her sister, Veronica Waterman; and many nieces, nephews, sisters- and brothers-in-law. Her legacy of love lives on in each of them.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday July 10, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., with visitation held one hour prior at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ St. Lincoln, NE 68524. A reception will be held following the service.
To honor Gwen’s generous spirit, memorials may be directed to Peoples’ City Mission or the Food Bank of Lincoln—two organizations that reflect her lifelong care for others.