Kenneth A. Falk, 85

Kenneth Arnold Falk was born on January 4th, 1937 on the family farm near Murdock, MN, the youngest of three children born to August V. and Mamie A. (Anderson) Falk. He grew up on the farm and was an avid hunter and fisherman throughout his youth.

Ken attended college at St. Olaf in Northfield, MN earning his Bachelor of Arts majoring in foreign languages with a minor in mathematics. Upon graduation he worked a variety of jobs before joining 3M Company in 1966 in Minnesota, eventually being promoted to their international business division. This job provided him with the experience of traveling throughout the world for work and applying his knack for learning foreign languages.

Ken married Nancy Jean on June 30, 1962. They had one child, Deborah Ann Falk which prompted Ken to reevaluate his travel schedule demanded by international work. It was during this time that he felt called to the church and enrolled for his Masters of Divinity at the United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, MN.

Ken worked for the United Church of Christ, helming churches in Council Bluffs, IA and Tempe, AZ where he gave heartfelt and thoughtprovoking sermons. During this time, he officiated at hundreds of weddings, sat by hospital bedsides, and gave solace to others at the time of their passing.

Ken started his second life after his divorce when he moved to Nebraska to work as an interim minister at various churches throughout the state. Ken met Nancy Jones in January of 1997 in Ainsworth, NE at a Superbowl party and they started dating not long after. They were married November 15th, 1997 in the presence of their family and friends. They were married 25 years this last November, celebrating their silver wedding anniversary in the midst of Ken’s illness.

Ken loved to travel, and he and Nancy took trips throughout the United States, especially to visit friends and family. Ken and Nancy also loved gardening and established Kanberry Farm together to sell their produce and jams and jellies. Ken was a doting grandfather, attending as many sports activities, concerts and school plays in Chicago as he could and could always be found with his camera around his neck to capture the moments. He was an avid card player and loved playing canasta with Nancy and the grandkids for hours on end.

Ken had many hobbies throughout his life. He could play piano by ear and was an avid painter and charcoal artist. He loved leatherworking, silversmithing, fishing, and hunting. He wrote a book called The Healing of a Wounded Soul with his friend, Warren Hoffman and was in the process of writing a second book that contained his philosophy on religion and the human condition.

Ken passed in the early morning hours of December 10th, 2022 just a few weeks shy of his 86th birthday.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Wendell. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Falk of Ainsworth, NE; and her children, Brad (Dana) Jones of Wichita, KS and Sherri (Kent) Hiser of Shenandoah, IA; four grandchildren, Kyle, Chase, Griffin, and Amelia.; his sister, Jeanne Johnson of Alamogordo, NM; his daughter, Deborah Walters, her husband, Alan, and grandchildren, Alexis and Luke of Chicago, IL; brother-in-law, John (Terry) Stech of Fredricksburg, VA; along with nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth. Ken’s family members officiated at the service. The CD Selections played included, “In The Garden” by Alan Jackson, “Lord Of The Dance” by The Irish Tenors and “Thank You World” by The Statler Brothers. Memorials were suggested to the family in Ken’s name for a future designation. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery at Murdock, MN. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.

for driving under the influence of alcohol and booked into the Brown County Jail. They later posted bond, and were released.

Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail after they completed a four day court commitment sentence.

Monday, December 12th

Provided traffic control for a cattle crossing on Highway 183, near mile marker 202.

Received a report of a juvenile in possession of stolen property. The juvenile later returned the property, and a report will be sent to the Brown County Attorney’s office.

Tuesday, December 13th

Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail after serving a six day court commitment sentence.

Received a 911 call for a stranded motorist. With the assistance of an interpreter we were able to understand they were stranded on Highway 12, near Norden. All information was then transferred to the Keya Paha County Sheriff’s Office for further assistance.

Wednesday, December 14th

Received a report of a stranded semi and trailer on Highway 20, near Wood Lake. Due to weather conditions assistance was delayed, but tow truck information was provided.

Responded to a report of cattle on the roadway on Highway 183, mile marker 195. Due to poor weather conditions, deputies provided traffic control until owner’s could reach the location to ensure cattle remained off the highway.

Received a request for a welfare check for an individual suspected of having a mental health crisis. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol made contact with the individual and reported them safe at this time.

Received multiple reports of stranded motorists on Meadville Avenue. The Brown County Roads Department assisted the motorists so they could continue clearing the roads of blowing snow.

The Brown County Ambulance Association were paged to an Ainsworth address. No transport was needed at this time.

Responded to a report of an individual laying in a snowbank, in front of a Main Street business. The individual was transported home by a Deputy.

Thursday, December 15th Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail after serving a 38 day court commitment sentence.

Provided agency assistance in transferring medications from the Rock County line to meet with another transporter in Ainsworth, who was taking them to a senior living facility in Valentine.

Received a report of a stranded motorist on Highway 20, near the Ainsworth Airport. A tow truck was called for assistance.

Provided traffic control for cattle on roadway at mile marker 195 on Highway 183.

Responded to a 911 call reporting a stranded motorist on 3rd Street in Ainsworth. Traffic control was provided by deputies while the tow truck removed the car from a snow bank.

The Brown County Ambulance was paged to a Long Pine address, and one patient was transported to the Brown County Hospital.

Friday, December 16th

Received a report of a stranded motorist on Highway 7, near mile marker 38. Deputies were unable to locate any vehicle in need of assistance.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded first to an Ainsworth address for a lift assist. They later responded to the same address and transported the patient to the Brown County Hospital.

Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail after completing a 38 day District Court commitment sentence.

Booked a weekend court commitment into the Brown County Jail.

Received a report of multiple vehicles parked on 1st Street in Ainsworth. Deputies made contact with the drivers and the vehicles were moved off the street.

Saturday, December 17th

Provided traffic control for a semi and trailer on 4th Street in Ainsworth, until a tow truck could arrive.

Provided traffic control near the 427th Avenue and Highway 20 intersection for a cattle crossing.

Received a report of an abandoned vehicle on 881st Road. The owner was contacted and later removed the car.

Weekly Summary

17 - Burn Permits were issued. 6 - Incident Reports were taken. 138 - Phone Calls were received. 12 - 911 Emergency Calls were received.

3 - Handgun Permits were applied for. 1 - Paper Services were served.