Kenneth Karl Knoelk, 55, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away Saturday, August 4, 2012, at his home surrounded by his loving family as he ended his long battle with cancer. The family was assisted by the loving staff of Hearts for Hospice of Idaho Falls. Ken was born August 29, 1956, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the oldest of 4 children born to Phillip G. and Della Ann Wheat Knoelk. He was raised in the Loveland, Colorado, area where he graduated from Loveland High School in 1975. Ken attended college in Northern Idaho, where he met and took the LDS missionary discussions and was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then attended Ricks College for one year before serving an LDS mission to Santiago Chile from 1977-1979. Following his mission, he returned to Idaho and Ricks College from 1979-1980, where he graduated with his Associates degree in secondary education and where he met his beautiful wife, Sandy. On June 12, 1980, Ken and Sandra D. Campbell were married and sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for time and all eternity. In 1982, Ken joined the Idaho Falls Police Department, where he served honorably for 30 years as a dedicated officer and teacher. During that time, Ken was also an instructor at the Idaho State Police Academy (POST) in Meridian, Idaho. Ken enjoyed teaching others, collecting stamps, writing, and in later years he enjoyed working on his family history and riding his motorcycle, but Kens greatest treasure was and always will be his family. He was preceded in death by his father, Phillip G. Knoelk; and is survived by his wife, Sandra D. Knoelk; daughters: Brandi Knoelk of Spokane, Washington; Lacey (Gary) Wirkus; Jessica (Cody) Brammer; Kandice Knoelk; and Cierra Knoelk; Sons: Andrew and Kadon Knoelk; and by his four grandchildren all of Idaho Falls, Idaho; his mother, Della Mattulat; sister, Sheryl Meyer; brothers: Cameron Knoelk and Martin Knoelk. Funeral services will be held at 11a.m. Friday, August 10, 2012, at the Ammon LDS Stake Center 2055 S. Ammon Rd with Bishop Alan Lundeen of the Ammon 8th Ward officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com Any Uniformed Honor Guard Members please be at the church at 8 a.m. on Friday.