In Memoriam

This year, two long term Lake residents passed away, Ken Childerston and Ken Lusk. 

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KEN CHILDERSTON - Kenneth “Ken” Lee Childerston was born December 12, 1938 in Hyannis, Nebraska and passed away on September 24, 2020. Ken leaves behind his wife, Anita Childerston, of 46 years. Ken lived at Lake Maloney for 50 years and his obituary said that he was happiest when guests came out to fish, water ski, or just play out in the water. Ken is originally from North Platte graduating from NPHS in 1957. Ken worked as an auditor of courthouses for 25 years. Ken will be missed by many but his family consists of his wife, four step-children, 16 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. 

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KENNY LUSK - Kenny Lusk was born in March, 1943 and passed away on July 12, 2002. Kenny purchased his first home at Lake Maloney on North Maloney Drive. Kenny was married to Dee Lusk and had four children, two step-children,, 20 grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Kenny worked at the Union Pacific Railroad until he retired in 2003. Please see article written by his dear friend, Patti Harkreader. 

Kenny Lusk By Patti Harkreader

Kenny moved to Lake Maloney in the early 1980’s and purchased the old Neville cabin on North Maloney Dr. He lived in the original cabin while designing and completing the home from top to bottom including architecture, foundation, woodworking, cabinetry, plumbing, heating, electrical, drywall, masonry, landscaping, and finish work over a ten-year period. Kenny and his wife eventually sold this home and purchased a cabin at Prairie Lake Boat Club in 2005 to downsize and he again worked his magic to remodel this home as well. 

Over the past 40 years, Kenny was involved in many projects around the Lake. One of those projects were taking care of the spawning ponds where he and Jack (my husband) would put in small fish and once they got bigger, move them to the Lake. Kenny, Jack and Wally Kucera created the Inlet Flower Bed that actually started several years ago. One other major project was creating the original Jack’s Pond located in Kansas Point and Kenny was instrumental in designing and constructing the sign the steel “Jack’s Pond” sign with a fish hanging from a fishing pole which was recently moved to the new Jack’s Pond (along with his son Chad, his friends Paul and Quentin Novak). Kenny was also so good about clearing the road of snow and many driveways for his neighbors on North Maloney and one time during a horrible ice storm with the help of Jack, Paul, and Chad, they were able to get the electricity back to North Maloney Drive and had been without electricity for over a week. 

Kenny was the real-life Energizer Bunny as he just kept going and going. He would work from early morning until late at night. He worked many jobs while growing up including a brick mason until he was hired for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1968. Some of Kenny’s talents included being an artist with charcoal, pencil, watercolors, painting, leather, and many carvings of wood that he would share with many people. He was also a master landscaper, gardener, master home brewer and wine maker. 

Kenny had many interests and played as hard as he worked. He was quick with a smile and quick-witted. He loved a good joke and a good prank was even better. He played golf, but most of his free time was spent doing water sports including skiing, ice boating, and fishing, but his greatest love was sailing. With his favorite sailboat, the Santana 2023, he sailed Lake Maloney, Lake McConaughy and all four coasts including the inter-coastal waterways and many inland lakes. He shared his love of sailing with others and taught most of his children and grandchildren to sail as well. 

When Kenny retired, he and his wife Dee, spent most winters traveling with one of their favorite spots at Lake Havasu, AZ which is where he got to enjoy other favorite hobbies of off-roading, rock climbing, and riding his Harley. 

Those who knew Kenny were very fortunate and those that could call him a friend