Kathleen Elizabeth Earnest

Kathleen “Kathy” Elizabeth (Morrow) Earnest, 88 of Waterloo, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Western Home Communities, Cedar Falls. She was born on March 9, 1938, in Waterloo, daughter of Marvin and Arlene W. (Bengston) Morrow. She grew up in Waterloo and graduated from the old West High School and the University of Northern Iowa with a liberal arts and computer science degree. She married James Earnest June 3, 1956, at Grace Brethren Church, Waterloo. He died March 1, 2017. They were married for 61 years and built a life centered around family, friendship and church.

She was committed to her church, ran the audio visual for church services, active in Outreach, The Good News Club and Feed the Neighborhood. Kathy helped build a church in Brazil and was involved in Navajo Missions and many Bible Conferences. Her house was always open. They had over 50 foster children as well as International Exchange Students. They always had an open bed for a new or visiting Pastor, not to mention the many visiting missionaries.

Kathy had many varied hobbies. First and foremost, she loved to learn. She built and repaired computers. Went on yearly fishing trips and participated in many bowling tournaments. Around Christmas, Kathy and her sister, LuAnne traveled to various cities for sightseeing and shopping. She was an avid reader, took guitar lessons, enjoyed dinner theatre and Chinese cooking classes. Through all of these journeys, Kathy is a Breast Cancer Survivor.

Kathy is survived by six children, Tim (Shari) Earnest of Vadnais Heights, MN; Vadine Earnest of Arlington, Debbie (Kurt) Frey of Ft. Myers, FL, Lisa Likes of Waterloo, Vi (Lei) Quang of Madison, WI, and Arlene Simpson of Cedar Falls; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and her sister, LuAnne Pierce of Waterloo.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Earnest; her daughter, Barbara Loftus; grandson, Sgt. Zac Wasendorf; brother, Jimmy Morrow and son in law, Wayne Likes.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2pm Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at Locke on 4th St. 1519 West 4th St., Waterloo with Funeral Services starting at 2pm.

Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Waterloo.

Memorials contributions may be directed to the Cedar Valley Hospice.