The Herald of Free Grace
Special Edition

Free Grace Presbyterian Church's mission statement proclaims that we are "Broken People, Bound Together in Christ, for God's Glory!" Nowhere is this more evident, and more tested, than when the pastor and his family are suffering.

On October 17, Free Grace lost a member of its extended family. Per's father, Ken Almquist, lost his battle with cancer and went home to the Lord. Please take some time to read about Ken's life in the obituary below.

This is a time for we at Free Grace to love our pastor and his family. Per has missed a few Sundays so that he could travel to Virginia and be with his family. He will return to Virginia this Saturday for a "celebration of Ken's life" ceremony. This will be the third Sunday in a row that Free Grace worships without her pastor, and her pastor worships apart from his flock.

We ask you, our Free Grace extended family, to pray for Per, Beth and the boys, as well as the entire Almquist family as they say goodbye to Ken. Pray that God would lavish his comfort on them, and that he would give them his unique sense of peace and steadiness. May he prepare them in the weeks and months ahead for life without Ken. Pray that they would fix their eyes upon the Lord for all their needs, and that the Lord would hear their cries and comfort their souls. 

In Memory of
Kenneth Charles Almquist

April 20, 1946 - October 17, 2015

Kenneth Charles Almquist, Maj. (USAF Ret.), left his earthly family to join his heavenly family on October 17, 2015, after a courageous battle against cancer. Born April 20, 1946, Ken, or "Pop-Pop," as his beloved grandchildren knew him, grew up in Patterson, California and graduated from Patterson High School. He completed his B.A. in Mathematics magna cum laude from North Park University in Chicago, Illinois and his M.S. in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Air University. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, including as a Minuteman missileer and many other assignments that took him and his family around the country. After retiring from the Air Force, Ken worked in the private sector designing computer-based training curricula for the military.

Ken was a gentle man with a huge heart and warm smile who will be long remembered by those who knew him. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was an avid reader who also enjoyed woodworking, researching genealogy, and traveling with his wife, Janell. Together they travelled the country and traced their roots in Sweden. Ken was a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg.

Ken was preceded in rest by his parents, Arthur and Cecile Almquist and his parents-in-law, Melvin and Gail Lindman. He is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Janell; his four children Chuck (Elaine), Katy (Payton), Chris (Beth), and Joel (Susie); his seven grandchildren Austin, Kyle, Madison, Jason, Jonathan, Scotty, and Erika. He is also survived by his brother Terry (Lois), his sisters-in-law Janet (Lloyd) and Jean (Jim), and his brothers-in-law Ross (Lisa), Brian (Cathie), and Glenn (Jennie), and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Miller, his nurse Tamara, Bill (who always made Ken smile) and the staff of Riverside Peninsula Cancer Institute as well as Riverside Hospice, in particular his nurses Laura and Megan. The family is deeply appreciative of their knowledge, compassion, and outstanding care for Ken during the last 13 months.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 23, from 6-8 pm at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg. A celebration of Ken's life will be held at the church on Saturday, October 24, at 11 am. Burial will follow at a later time in Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to Free Grace Presbyterian Church, 160 Canal Street, Lewiston, ME 04240 

Living Life Together     


      The Almquist family is rather conspicuous, don't you think? Several years ago, maybe six or seven, I was collecting my kids from their favorite nooks in the Children's section of the Lewiston Library, when I look up to an amusing sight. A very tall, very blonde man was seated in a tiny chair beside a tiny table in the picture book area. On his knees (several inches above the table) rested a laptop. I grinned at the man and walked by. As I passed, I happened to notice the words, Presbyterian Church on his screen. Of course, I was curious, so I stopped and had the pleasure of meeting Per Almquist for the first time. It was a memorable occurrence. 
      So, as I said, the Almquist family is rather conspicuous. They are conspicuous in their absence as well. When the Almquists are away, there is no big, white Yeti Mobile parked along Canal Street. The church looks different on the inside without the usual three tall, blonde guys and the not-so-tall, blonde-wiseguy, or my dear friend, Beth.
      Yet Free Grace runs well in their absence; not perfectly, but well. Very well, I think. Our wonderful elders and deacons, Ken, Kevin, David, Brian, and Bill, willingly step up to lead, teach, and preach. Other members join in to play piano or sing for Beth and Kyle, or run slides or sound for Jason. 
Yes, the Almquists are conspicuous in their absence; we always miss them when they are gone. I'm so grateful to all the Free Grace members, who are conscious in their presence. 
 
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