Photo courtesy of Avera Marshall Andrew and Marisa Kack hold their newborn son, Abram Andrew Kack, who was the first baby born at Avera Marshall Medical Center in 2021. Abram was born at 1:05 a.m. Monday.

MARSHALL — Andrew and Marisa Kack said they weren’t expecting their new son to be born until later this week. But as it turned out, baby Abram Kack had a surprise in store for them.

“On Sunday, (Marisa) was feeling like it might be sooner,” Andrew Kack said. The couple had to make a fast trip from their home in Canby late Sunday night, traveling the 30 miles to Avera Marshall Medical Center.

“We got here at 11 (evening), and had him at one. Everything really went fast,” Marisa Kack said.

At 1:05 a.m. on Jan. 4, Abram Kack became the first baby to be born at Avera Marshall in 2021. He was welcomed by Andrew and Marisa, as well as his three older siblings, Myranda, Brady and Brodryck.

In addition to needing to rush to the hospital, it was also a surprise to learn that Abram was the first baby of the new year, Andrew Kack said. But by Tuesday morning, both Marisa and baby Abram were doing well, and ready to head home. The Kacks said they wanted to thank Avera Marshall and the staff there.

“The hospital has been amazing,” Marisa Kack said.