Gladys P. Lusk

Gladys was born on June 21, 1929 in Denver, CO. She was welcomed to the family by parents Howard and Jessie Phend and brother Clarence.

Gladys spent her childhood on the family farm south of Limon and attended a country school through 8^th grade. She then boarded with her Aunt Hester in Simila to attend High School grades 9-11. Her parents sold the farm and moved to south Limon prior to her senior year. Gladys finished her high school education at Limon High School, graduating in 1947.

After graduation, she was working as a waitress at a local restaurant, which was also the bus station. One day a handsome young man traveled by bus to Limon. James Lusk got off the bus and the first person he met was Gladys. It was love at first site and they were married five weeks later – a union that lasted 58 years until Jim passed away in 2005.

James and Gladys were blessed with two children, Ceana and Kirk. They were very involved in their children’s lives, attending endless music concerts and sports activities. Every summer, Gladys would take a small group of Kirk and Ceana’s friends to stay in the family cabin near Divide to attend Music Camp at the Mennonite Camp. Gladys also provided leadership to the local 4-H chapter for many years.

Gladys had many talents and enjoyed cooking (a passion she passed on to her children), sewing, quilting, painting pictures of nature and landscapes, ceramics and china painting. Through the years she worked providing clothing alterations for local department stores, working in the school cafeteria, cleaning the Limon Clinic, and working at Mountain View Electric. She was generous with her time and volunteered countless hours to the Hub City Senior Center and the Limon Heritage Museum. After retiring and moving to Mesa, AZ, she and a group of friends made quilts for a local orphanage and foster care system.

Gladys and James loved people and enjoyed hosting card parties in Limon and later in Mesa with many of their Limon friends and a few newfound friends. They opened their home to both family and friends when they needed a place to land for a few days or a few months.

In 2013, Gladys moved back to Colorado to be closer to family. She spent her final years in Colorado Springs and Monument. She always had a smile and a joke or two to share.

Gladys is survived by her daughter Ceana Hildebrand and son Kirk Lusk. Son-in law Kent and daughter in-law Venus. Grandchildren Caleb Hildebrand (Erin Kelly), Kaitlin Knar (Michael Jr.), Rachel Lusk and Kyle Lusk. Great grandchildren, Ella, Aurora, Autumn, Michael III and Alana, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Hub City Senior Center or the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp in Divide, CO.