Kenneth P. “Ken” Wernimont, 81, of Waterloo, Iowa, died suddenly from complications of COVID-19 Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital, Waterloo.
He was born May 1, 1940, on the family farm at Breda, Iowa, son of Raymond and Katherine Rowe Wernimont. Ken graduated from St. Bernard Catholic High School in 1958, attended the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado, before transferring to the University of Northern Iowa where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in English and education in 1963. He then obtained his master’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa in 1968.
Ken married Kathleen A. Monahan on Sept. 9, 1961, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Carroll. He began practicing family therapy at Northeastern Psychiatric Clinic in Waterloo in 1969. He was a family and marriage counselor for 53 years starting his career at Northeastern Psychiatric Clinic in 1969.
He was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church, Waterloo, and a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Ken was also a member of the Iowa and the National Social Work Associations. He served on the board of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony and was the board’s president in the early 1980s.
Ken is survived by his wife: Kathleen, Waterloo; daughter, Erin (Doug) Sparks‚ Waterloo; son: Peter (Arash) Wernimont‚ Cedar Rapids; three grandchildren: Daniel Sparks, Naples, Italy, Katherine Sparks‚ Philadelphia‚ Pennsylvania, and Ashley Wernimont‚ Ames; seven siblings: Mary Kay (Harry) Uhlenkamp‚ Breda‚ Joan (Greg) Fritz‚ Missoula‚ Montana, Marlys (Richard) Steinke‚ Kansas City‚ Missouri, Melvin (Anne) Wernimont‚ Greenwood Village‚ Colorado, Diane (Ron) McIntosh‚ Henderson‚ Nevada, Dot (Rick) Langholdt‚ Iowa City‚ Iowa, and Carol (Jerry) Mennenga‚ Iowa City; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Janet Fee; and brothers Pat and Lyle Wernimont.
The family requests all attendees wear a mask for safety.
Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Waterloo. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Waterloo.
Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at Locke at Tower Park with a 4 p.m. rosary; also for one hour prior to Mass at the church.
Memorials are suggested to Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity, or Northeast Iowa Food Bank.
Visit www.LockeFuneralServices.com for more.