Kathleen “Kathy” Ann Earnst, age 77, a longtime resident of Sedro-Woolley, Washington passed away Sunday, September 12, 2021. She was born May 9, 1944, in Mount Vernon, WA to Frank “Doc” and Patricia (Healey) Nicholson.
Kathy was married on June 13, 1964 to Kenneth Stuart Earnst. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a picnic in the park surrounded by a multitude of friends and family in 2014. Kathy worked as the clerk/treasurer to the town of LaConner, Washington for much of her adult life. As a youth & young adult, Kathy enjoyed horseback riding. Later, Kathy, along with her husband, Stu, became interested in rocks, gems, and minerals and for many years they were adult members (& later leaders) of the Northwest Rockies 4-H club, the Marysville Rock Club, and the Washington State Mineral Council. Stu & Kathy lived most of their married life in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Stu & Kathy acted as host parents to four year-long international students and numerous short-term summer international students. As they neared retirement, and after, they enjoyed several month long trips to Europe to visit their former students and their families and Kathy’s genealogy work paid off in 2018 with the opportunity to meet some distant relatives in Italy. Upon retirement, Stu & Kathy purchased a motorhome and became “snowbirds”, spending the winter months in Arizona and surrounding areas. They were also able to take a months-long motorhome trip to Alaska.
Kathy is survived by her son, Kenneth of Blaine; daughter, Janet and her husband, Doug, of Seattle; her honorary international children Vladimir (Russia), Robert (Germany), Alex (Germany), & Johanna (Germany); her grandchildren, Eric, Sarah, Anna, & Kelsey; and her sister, Denise of Lyman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank & Patricia, and her husband, Stu.
Kathy will be laid to rest with her husband at the Lyman City Cemetery. At this time no memorial service is planned. Share your memories of Kathy and sign the online guest register.
I’m sorry for your loss Kathy and family I grew up down the road and she is always the best!
Kathy had texted me when she found out she had cancer as she knew I was fighting my battle with it also. I ended up in the ICU and hospital for close to a month and I just now found out Kathy had passed. I worked with Kathy (she was bookkeeper for our organization) and truly enjoyed having her on board. She was excellent in her work and a delight to work with. Several months back, she came through Las Cruces on one of her excursions so we were able to get together and chat for a couple of hours. Kathy was a darn good person. She will be greatly missed. My condolences to her family.
I knew Kathy since fall 1996, when I came to Sedro-Woolley as an exchange student and she warmly welcomed me together with her husband Stu.
This Senior High-School year in Sedro-Woolley became one of my best and Kathy one of my best friends. We visited each other many times during the last 25 years, made trips together with family through the States and Europe. Kathy was a very open minded and sociable person. You could have good conversations with her. I’m glad she met my youngest son in 2018 and also that she visited us in Germany again, with her daughter, son-in-law and grandkids. Unfortunately, my last personal meeting with Kathy. The news about her illness this year shocked us all very much. My last phone call with her sounded hopeful and confident. But it should not be. Kathy, thank you for everything. You will be unforgotten! Robert Berlin, Germany
I remember Kathy from the Lyman Grade school. She was always very nice. Since I moved in 1963 I never got to visit with her again. We knew the family and my mom visited her mom at the senior home. Praying for all her family members. Janice (Price) Tedesco & the Jim Price family.
I met Kathy and Stu through the Marysville Rock and Gem Club. There couldn’t have been a more suited for one another couple in the world.
Kathy will be sorely missed.
Happy for the two of them together again in Heaven.
I am so sorry for your loss and am praying for those left behind.
Kathy and Stu were the most wonderful, loving people. I miss the pow wow trips. A favorite, was when Kathy had everyone bring something for a stew. Many good times around a fire. With Kathy it was like I was with family.
Kathy was my sister in law,,married to my brother Stu,,,I alway admire them because they were always on the go,,,Kathy told me that they lived on a tight budget,,just to have money to travel,,she had plans for a cruise to someplace in Russia then off to japan,,she was not ready to give up,,I also remember all the Thanksgiving at her house,,,and the time I flew to Tucson,,,to drive her and the dog home,,,she picked me up at the airport,,she wanted to drive,,that didn’t last long,,,she was not in good heath,,,so I drove all the way home,,,that was alway my plan,,,I was very glade to help her out,,,dear Kathy will be missed
Gordy and I traveled with Stu and Kathy for a few years to Arizona.We miss them a lot. Our cat,crusty claws, loved them. They took us to a lot of places we never saw. We have a lot of fond memories. We met at the Marysville rock and gem club.
Kathy was a friend through Marysville Rock & Gem. We worked together on the scholarship committee. I very much enjoyed hearing about her students and trips.
Janet,
Our hearts aches with you and for you as you grieve the sudden loss of your mother. Please know that we love you, Doug and your family and are always available to you whatever you may need.
Missing you and praying for you!
Todd and Kara
I met Kathy and Stu on a Cruise to Italy, and we became FB friends. So sorry for your loss, she will be missed by many. RIP Kathy….
Some of my fondest childhood memories took place at Kathy and Stu’s house around the Thanksgiving table. Kathy would prepare some of the biggest turkeys I’d ever seen and we would cram as many family and friends into their little living room as we could. No matter what there always seemed to be room for one more. I will always cherish those hours spent in their home.
Kathy and my brother Stuart were married many years and enjoyed traveling and numerous other activities in the Sedro-Woolley area. She was always easy to talk to and enjoyed sharing many stories about their travels. Kathy and Stu were always busy going somewhere and doing the things they enjoyed. Kathy will be missed by many. Our thoughts go out to her family and friends.