Vivian Leigh (Biggs) McDowell passed away on September 23, 2021 at the age of 72 at Smith County Health and Rehab Center in Smith Center, KS..  She was born on March 8, 1949 in Phillipsburg, KS the daughter of Max and Marian Biggs.

Vivian grew up and attended school in Phillipsburg, graduating in 1967.  Soon after graduation, she married Clayton McDowell on August 17, 1968.  To this union, three children, Traci, Darin and Kody, were born.   While raising her children, Vivian earned her Associates Degree in Business from Fort Hays University.

Vivian and Clayton lived on the family farm in Kensington for many years.  Vivian worked for KN Energy in Phillipsburg for several years and then went to work with her brother Brett at Biggs Insurance.

Vivian was a very devoted member of the American Legion Auxiliary and enjoyed participating in Bingo night and the Veterans' Day celebration.

She will be remembered as having an ever present smile, and an energetic, bright spirit.  She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and was excited to be expecting her first great grandchild this coming February.  Vivian enjoyed conversations at the table with her children and grandchildren.  She had an amazing ability to spell any word in the dictionary and made it a game for the kids to try to find a word she could not spell.   Many card games were also enjoyed over the years with family and friends.

Preceding her in death was her sister, Tonya (Biggs) Waters and her parents, as well as her faithful four-legged companion, Sadie.

She is survived by her spouse, Clayton McDowell of Kensington, brother and sister-in-law Brett and Cheryl (Yoxall) Biggs of Phillipsburg, KS, her three children; Traci (McDowell) Orr and Don Vizner of Wichita, KS; Darin and Brooke (Scott) McDowell of Kensington and Kody and Bethanie (Long) McDowell of Salina along with 8 grandchildren; Madison Orr and Dylan Dagenais of Colwich, KS, Mason Orr and Mikaila Woods of Wichita, KS, Carson Orr of Lawrence, KS, Dalton, Jackson and Aven McDowell of Salina, KS and Brillon and Breckyn McDowell of Kensington, KS.

Cremation was chosen.  A memorial service will be held Thurs. Sept. 30 at 10:30 a.m. in the First St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, with Pastor Dave Hutson officiating. A private family burial will be in the Kirwin Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.