Kenneth E. Main (Sutherland) July 25, 1935-November 1, 2024

Ken was born on July 25, 1935, at his grandparents' farm-ranch home, 14 miles south of Wallace, Nebraska. A month later, his parents, Thomas R. and Cleo moved to Sutherland, where his father found work building the Sutherland Reservoir.  Ken attended the Sutherland Public School System, graduating in 1953. He was very active in sports, earning 11 letters in Football, Basketball, and Track. As the quarterback of the 1952 six-man football team, he led them to a 5th place finish in the State rankings out of 177 schools. Ken also had a passion for music, earning numerous awards for his singing.  After high school, Ken attended Kearney State Teachers College, graduating in 1957 with a major in Education and French, and a minor in Business. It was during his college years that he met the love of his life, Jacky Hellman. They married on August 16, 1958, and together they had three children: Michael, Thomas, and Tamera.  Upon graduating from college, Ken joined his father in the family grain trucking business, T.R. Main Trucking. After his father's passing in 1970, Ken continued the family business, retiring in 2003 after 46 years and over 4 million miles traveled. Ken was very proud to live in Sutherland and became active in community service. He served on the Sutherland Reservoir Park Board for several years and held the position of Secretary of Sutherland Golf, Inc. from its inception in 1992 for 30 years. He was particularly proud of his three terms on the Sutherland Village Board, serving from 1972-1982, 1990-1998, and 2017-2022. His 23 years of combined service on the Village Board is the most accumulated time any member has served since the Village was incorporated in 1905.
Ken believed the 1972-1982 Village Board made the most significant improvements to village life. During this period, they built a new Fire Hall in 1972, adopted County Wide law enforcement in 1975. They adopted new Planning and Zoning laws ahead of the construction of the Gerald Gentleman Power Plant in 1975, signed a contract with NPPD to upgrade the village electrical system, and constructed a new Village Library-Clerk's Office and a new swimming pool. Additionally, they installed new aluminum seating for the Rodeo grounds and completed a significant water project in 1981-82, improving the village's fire-fighting capabilities.  Ken was an active supporter of youth baseball, coaching his sons' teams and co-sponsoring and managing the 1975 Babe Ruth Tri-County All-Star team that won the State Babe Ruth Title and represented Nebraska in the Regional Babe Ruth Tournament in Iowa City, IA. Ken and Jack Chamberlin were responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of the Sutherland Ballpark ball diamonds in 1973, funding the chain link fence for both fields.

Ken passed away peacefully on Friday, November 1, with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jacky; sons Michael (Judy) of Kearney and Thomas (Allison) of Scottsdale, AZ; daughter Tamara Knapp (Rick) of Aurora, CO; grandchildren Eric Main (Michelle) of Larkspur, CO, Abree Taillon (Rob) of Kearney, Adam Main (Cami) of Lakewood, CO, Kaitlin (Austin) Mack of Fort Collins, CO, Benjamin Knapp of New York City, Chloe Knapp of Boston, MA, and Andrew Main of Los Angeles, CA; and great-grandchildren, Kerrington Taillon of Tempe, AZ, Isabel, Lillian, and Charlotte Taillon all of Kearney, Adelyn and Colton Main of Larkspur, CO, Ava Mack of Fort Collins, CO, and Oliver Main of Lakewood, CO.

He is preceded in death by his parents, TR and Cleo Main; a brother Don Main; and a sister, Shirley Lammer.

Online condolences and a live stream of the service can be found at www.adamsswanson.com .

Mass of Christian burial we be on Wednesday November 6th at 1 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland, NE. Rosary at 11 a.m. followed by coffee and lunch in the church basement.  Visitation will be 12-7 Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery at Sutherland.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in his name.