Kathleen Wernimont

Kathleen Ann (Monahan) Wernimont, 85, of Waterloo, died Friday, February 20, 2026.

Kathleen was born June 2, 1940, in Jefferson, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas Monahan and Viola Brend Monahan. While in high school, she met the love of her life, Kenneth, at a speech contest. Kenneth finished second and Kathleen finished first, a distinction she always delighted in recalling. After graduating from nursing school at St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing in Sioux City, she and Kenneth were married on September 9, 1961, and established their home in the Cedar Valley.

Kathleen devoted more than 35 years to nursing and hospital administration, beginning and ending her career at Allen Hospital in Waterloo. She also worked for nine years at Covenant Medical Center. In 1975, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa and attended the University of Iowa College of Law for one year.

Kathleen was deeply devoted to her faith, community, and the arts. She was a longtime member of St. Edward Catholic Church, served as a regent of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In 1987, she became one of the first women admitted to the Waterloo Rotary Club. Additionally, she served as president and later honorary board member of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony and was a dedicated, long-term member of the Waterloo Public Library Board.

Kathleen and her husband of 60 years, Kenneth, loved opening their home to others, hosting countless memorable gatherings for friends as well as events supporting political and community causes. Their parties were filled with laughter, often sparked by Kathleen’s sharp observations, perfectly timed one-liners, and gift for storytelling. Together they shared a love of travel, enjoying adventures around the world with friends and family. Kathleen was known for her grace, warmth, and unmistakable sense of style. Often, that style included a beautiful hat!

She is survived by her daughter, Erin (Doug) Sparks of Waterloo; her son, Peter (Arash) Wernimont of Waterloo; and three grandchildren, Daniel Sparks of Honolulu, Hawaii; Kate (Emily) Sparks of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Ashley Wernimont of Chicago, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth; her parents; and her sister, Barbara.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, March 5th from 1:00 – 4:00PM at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, on Thursday, March 5, with a Rosary Service starting at 1:00PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 6, at St. Edward Catholic Church at 11:00AM with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, or the Waterloo Community Foundation