Ulve was 'always grinning and always happy,' dad says
ROCK FALLS - Kenneth Richard Joe Ulve led a typical life, one that revolved around working hard and spending time with family.
Ulve, 25, is one of four people killed a week and a half ago in a Rock Falls apartment, allegedly at the hands of Nicholas T. Sheley.
Now the life Ulve worked for is gone. He leaves behind his parents, several siblings and his 2-year-old son, Kayden.
Ulve's half sister, Kendra Kruse, said Ken had charisma that affected anyone he was with.
"There isn't a person that didn't say that everybody liked him. He's just one of those happy people that everybody liked," Kruse said.
It was simply the way he presented himself that charmed people, said his father, Kenneth F. Ulve, 59.
"He was always grinning and always happy," his dad said. "He was a really good-natured kid."
His son was a hard worker who took his job as a roofer seriously, and worked with pride during more than 4 years with Terry Ratliff Construction.
In his down time, Ken liked to go to Sinnissippi Park in Sterling and relax playing flying disc golf. He also liked to watch baseball and football.
He played football in high school, where he earned the nickname "Cookie Cutter."
His dad said he had plans to spread Ken's ashes at Port Arkansas, Texas, near the Gulf of Mexico.
He had promised his son, shortly before his death, that he would take him there, Ulve said.
"It's really beautiful down there."