Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com

Kenneth “Stu” Earnst

Kenneth “Stu” Earnst

Sunday, January 31st, 2016

Kenneth Stuart Earnst (Stu) was born in Kearney, Nebraska on March 31, 1943 and died in Skagit Valley Hospital on Sunday, January 31, 2016.  He attended school in several places, graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1961.  Stu served in the Army and was stationed in South Korea.  He was employed for 32 years at the Sedro-Woolley Wastewater Treatment Plant, retiring in 2009.

Upon retirement, Stu purchased his pride and joy, a 30 foot motorhome.  For several years, he and Kathy were snowbirds spending winters in Arizona and taking in the rock and gem shows in Quartzsite and Tucson.  He loved spending time at the family cabin in Mazama, WA.  A couple of years ago, he started to make homemade beer.  He was proud of his home brew and enjoyed having the neighbors stop by for a sample.  Another hobby for the past 40 years was rockhounding.  He led a 4-H club in geology for over 20 years and was proud of his Northwest Rockies’ kids.  Currently he was on the board of the Washington State Mineral Council and an active member of the Marysville Rock & Gem Club.  In his younger years, he was an active member of Skagit Mountain Rescue and helped with Skagit Explorer Search and Rescue.  Travel was a very important part of his life.  Several trips to Europe, a cruise down the west coast of Italy and

a cruise through the Panama Canal were favorites.  At the top of his bucket list was taking his own motorhome to Alaska.  That came true this past summer when an 8 week trip to Alaska in the motorhome was made.

Stu is survived by his wife, Kathy; son, Ken; daughter, Janet Lindquist; mother, Phyllis Wear; six grandchildren, Kenny and Terri Earnst, Kelsey Lineberger, Eric, Sarah, and Anna Lindquist; sisters, Nancy Dorning and Carolyn Meyers; brothers, Ron Earnst, Mark Earnst, and Dan Wear.  He is also survived by his dearly loved exchange students, Robert and Johanna Stocking, Vladimir Pavlovsky and Alex Manes all of whom were very important to him.

At his request, no services will be held at this time.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when the weather improves.  Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, to the Marysville Rock Club Scholarship Fund, or to a charity of your choice. Share your memories of Stu and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com.

Guestbook

  • Christie Fairchild & Artie Olson

    Artie and I will always remember Stu through our adventures with Skagit Mountain Rescue in the early to late 80’s. A fine man and a true character!
    We feel lucky to have known him.

  • Deric Dorning

    It was sad to hear about the loss of my Uncle Stuart. He has provided some very fond memories for me!! Uncle Stuart always seem to have enjoyed life. I will keep up that attitude for you my dear Uncle. God Bless and Love you.

  • Joanie, Dexter, Eric, Violet Self

    Sorry for your loss. The rock hounds will truly miss him. Thanks for all the great rock’s.

  • Janet Yoshikawa

    I am so fortunate to have known Stu. He and Kathy both had a zest for life that came through in their kind actions and smiling faces. Mark and are are at the gem show in Tucson now. Losing Stu has been very difficult for Mark ( also a rock hound, of course) . We see Stu wherever we look; in all that is beautiful from the Earth. Gentle and eternal. Rest sweetly, we will miss you.

  • Nancy (Earnst) Dorning

    It is hard to say good bye to a loved one, Stuart was the oldest and after our father died and when Mom started College, it was Stu’s job to get us ready for school and on the bus, not an easy thing to do. Stu was aways busy with something and going somewhere – no task was to small. He once made us a baseball playing field next to the house, hay and tree forts , picking blackberries and huckleberries and sleeping outside in the summer with us “little kids” to make sure the boogeyman would not get us. So many memories, rest well my brother will see you on the other side.

  • Janet (Bistodeau) Loe

    Dear Family,
    So sorry for the loss of Stuart. Remembering times of picking cherries and baby sitting for you kids in the fabulous fifties! I last saw Stuart at an all class picnic a couple years ago. Condolences to each of you and his friends. Especially to Phyllis. God Bless you all.

  • Chick Sandifer

    To Sturat’s family, I send heartfelt condolences. Stuart was a neighbor and a fellow student from Samish GS through high school. With Denny Earnst and nancy and Ron, we built some mighty fine forts and hay tunnels in Stuart’s barn. Fond memories of that time and Stuart. God bless and rest.

  • Chick Sandifer

    To Sturat’s family, I send heartfelt condolences. Stuart was a neighbor and a fellow student from Samish GS through high school. With Denny Earnst and nancy and Ron, we built some mighty fine forts and hey tunnels in Stuart’s barn. Fond memories of that time and Stuart. God bless and rest.

  • Joyce Holland

    Kathy
    I’m so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the days ahead.

  • Erica

    Ken would come in the office with his cute hat with the feather. He would come around the corner sneak up on me and say hey young lady and give me a hug. I will miss his voice coming in the door, I would know exactly who it was before I saw his face.
    Ken was funny and our whole office enjoyed his visits. He will be missed by all of us!!

  • Tina Rexroth

    Kathy and family, I am so sorry for your families loss. I will sure miss Stu! He used to give me hell and I will miss that. Stu, you were an amazingly smart man, the best smartalic I have ever known-wisecracker, and dear friend. Love ya Stu!