Priscilla May Earnest

Priscilla "Perri" Earnest, 77, of Cedar Falls, formerly of Waterloo, died at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home Saturday, July 10, 2021. Perri was born October 29, 1943, in Oak Park, IL, the daughter of Warner Clair and Erma Beggs Holcombe. She graduated from Proviso East High School in Maywood, IL; received her BA in Elementary Education with a minor in English and Music from North Central College in Naperville, IL in 1966.

Perri married Kenneth Earnest April 3, 1966, at the Marine Corps Chapel at 29 Palms, California. She taught Elementary School in North Aurora, IL for several years and then was a Lab Secretary at Mercy Hospital there for 4 years. Perri and Ken moved to Waterloo, and she worked in public relations at St. Francis Hospital then Vintage Life and Manager of Lifeline retiring after 29 years with Covenant Health System. Perri was honored at a convention in Boston for growth of the Lifeline program.

In Illinois, Perri served on the board of the North Aurora Public Library, co-youth leader at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, a Den Leader for Cub Scouts, and a soloist at weddings at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. After moving to Waterloo, she was on the committee for Relay for Life of the American Cancer Society for 10 years, a member of PEO Chapter JP and then the combined FE-JP serving as President for two years. She served as an account manager for the Cedar Valley United Way for 2 years, sang in the church choir at Waterloo First United Methodist Church and the Metropolitan Chorale. Perri also served as an usher at the Gallagher Bluedorn for 10 years and was chair of Partners in Education for Covenant Medical Center and Hoover Junior High for 5 years.

Perri loved to read, crochet, knit, do counted cross stitch, and play with cats. She collected Cherished Teddies, books, and enjoyed singing and watching movies, especially musicals.

Perri is survived by her husband, Ken of Cedar Falls; two sons, Bryan (Lara) Earnest of Waterloo and Bruce (Ann) Earnest of Cedar Falls; three grandsons, Cole, Luke, and Kyle Earnest; and a sister, Sylvia Nelson of Davenport.

She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother. Howard Holcombe.