Kenny was one of three children born to Lester and Betty. He grew up on the family farm, where he developed a lifelong love of farming, horses, and cattle.
Kenny attended Mt. Pleasant schools. Following graduation, he began working at J.I. Case in Burlington, Iowa, where he remained employed until his retirement in 2008. During a layoff Kenny moved to Kinsley, KS, where he worked the feed yard crew for Lobo Feeders. While there he worked with Larry Williams, Denny Williams, Bob Hammond (Hair Bear), Gary Brown and Doug Stark. That is where he gained his nickname “Water bucket” from the gang. When they weren’t working, you could find him and the gang in Dodge City roping. They all became life long friends and created wonderful memories
On November 13, 1981, Kenny married Deb Bickford. To this union, two children were born, a son, Kacee Waterhouse, and a daughter, Jamie Waterhouse. The family made their home on a small farm outside of Mt. Pleasant, where Kenny continued his lifelong love of farming, horses, and cattle.
Kenny started his children riding horses and rodeoing at a young age. Family was the most important thing in his life. At the rodeo, you would never have known he had only two children, because Kenny was always helping everyone else’s kids. It didn’t matter who you were; he was always there to lend a helping hand. He treated everyone he rodeoed with—and their children—as family.
Kenny never knew a stranger. Although he was somewhat of a quiet man, his smiling face could be seen throughout the rodeo arena, no matter the event.
Kenny was a longtime member of the Iowa Rodeo Cowboys Association, Interstates Rodeo Association, and the United Rodeo Association. He was proud to be involved in these organizations and traveled throughout the Midwest competing in rodeos.
If Kenny wasn’t off rodeoing somewhere, you could usually find him helping a neighbor in any way he could. Whether it was working cattle, putting in crops, or lending a helping hand, Kenny was always willing to be there. On the rare occasion that he was relaxing at home, he could often be found watching westerns or rodeos on television.
Later in life, Kenny was blessed with a grandson, Cinch, whom he adored. Kenny enjoyed sharing his love of farming and rodeoing with Cinch, watching westerns, and playing whatever game Cinch wanted to play. His grandson brought him great joy, and the bond they shared was very special.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Deb Waterhouse, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; his son, Kacee Waterhouse, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; his daughter, Jamie Waterhouse and her fiancé, Nick Messer, of Danville, Iowa; his grandson, Cinch Waterhouse; his brother, Donald (Barb) Waterhouse, of Macon, Missouri; and his sister-in-law, Kathi Waterhouse, of Sperry, IA, along with many other sister and brother in laws, nephews, nieces, cousins, and his entire rodeo family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jack Waterhouse; and his nephew, Curtis Stark.
Visitation will be August 27, 2026 from 2:00 – 7:00 pm with family present from 5:00 – 7:00 at Olson-Yoder Funeral Home, Mt Pleasant, Iowa.
Memorial service is August 28, 2026 at 11:00 at Olson-Yoder Funeral Home. Burial following at Pleasant Hill, Mt Pleasant, Iowa.
Family has set up a general memorial and one for his grandson “Cinch’s” education. www.olsonyoderfh.com
