Earnest, Kelly M.

Kelly M. Earnest, 67, of Harpers Ferry, passed away Thursday evening, Nov. 3, 2011, at her residence with her family by her side. Celebrate Kelly's life with us on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Marquette City Hall (upper level) from 1 to 4 p.m. Burial will be held at a later date. Thornburg-DeVries Funeral Home in McGregor is in charge of arrangements.

Kelly M. Brechler was born Oct. 29, 1944, in McGregor, the daughter of John Brechler and Doris Helmey (Feit). Kelly was a graduate of Mar-Mac High School. She was united in marriage to Ronald Earnest in 1990 in Marquette. Kelly worked at 3M in Prairie du Chien, Wis., before the many years of service in the Dietetic Department at the Iowa City VA Health Care System. Through the years, she helped organize Mar-Mac high school reunions and Brechler family reunions.

Kelly enjoyed gardening, watching the multitude of hummingbirds that visited her feeders, rocking in her favorite chair, making new friends and socializing with old ones, talking about her grandchildren, and her dogs, Hannah and Gretta.

Kelly was a very caring and nurturing person, who made us laugh every day; she will be missed tremendously.

Kelly is survived by her husband, Ronald of Harpers Ferry; three children, Lara (Danny) Moore of Anita, Iowa, Sean (Gina) Earnest of Iowa City and Mia (Kevin) Dickey of Marion; two brothers, Carl Brechler of Bettendorf and Larry Breckler of Milwaukee; four grandchildren, Casey Moore, Kaylee Willman, Aelwyn Dickey and Fiona Dickey; her dearest and closest friends, Mary Jo Pirc of Marquette and Karen Kerns of North Liberty; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Kelly's name to Susan G. Komen For The Cure, online at: or by mail: Susan G. Komen For the Cure, Attn: Donor Services, PO Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.

Published Nov. 10, 2011, in The Gazette