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 50 ^th 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.