Mary Kathleen Cornish

Mary Kathleen “Kathy” Cornish, age 86, of Mankato and formerly from Nicollet, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026.

Funeral service will be 11am, Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mankato with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Vernon Center Cemetery. Please share a memory of Kathy with her family and view her service livestreamed at www.mankatomortuary.com

Kathy was born in Mankato on May 8, 1939 to Lloyd and Ruth (Peters) Sargent. She graduated from Garden City High School in 1957 and was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, W. Wayne Cornish, on November 26, 1960 at Garden City Baptist Church.

Kathy worked in retail sales for over 28 years until retirement, including KJ Wears, Seifert’s, and Clothes Connection. She and Wayne later owned a home in Nisswa and enjoyed spending time on the lake. Kathy also loved watching sports, especially the Vikings and Timberwolves, and traveling to Hawaii and Florida.

Kathy is survived by her nieces and nephews, Jim (Jeanine) Sargent, Karen (Ross) Winger, Caryl (Milt) Zernechel, Mike (Candy) Rector, Gary (Becky) Rector, Brian Rector, Sue Kitzman, Nancy (Kevin) Soiney, Deb (Jim) Warwick, Tammy (Brad) Freitag, and Troy Sargent; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and in-laws, Sharon Larson, Michelle (William) Negaard, Anthony Cornish, Denise (Bob) Grant, Rita Cornish, and Barbara LeVasseur

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne Cornish; siblings, Dorothy (Charley) Rector, Lewis (Marj) Sargent, Evelyn Sargent, Muriel Sargent, and Dick (Joanie) Sargent; in-laws, Maureen Sens, Jerome Cornish, Gregory Cornish, Michael Cornish, and Gordon Larson.