Vivian Elaine McDowell - Lingenfeter

On February 17, 1920 Vivian Elaine was born to Cyrus and Lizzie McDaniel in Bird City, Kansas. Bird City is in a very rural section of upper NW corner of Kansas on HWY 36. Vivian was the fifth child to Cyrus and Lizzie. Her older brothers Victor, Lindsey and older sister Marvel have all since passed away. Cyrus and Lizzie were farmers and just 3 days after Vivian was born Lizzie passed away from complications during the delivery. Cyrus could not take care of Vivian by himself so Ora and Vena Davis, Vivian's Aunt and Uncle raised her. Ora and Vena also had three sons of their own; Roy, Lloyd and Lyle Davis who have all passed away. Cyrus eventually remarried, moved to Eastern Oregon and had four more children Shannon and Gail, who have also passed, and Pat lives in Washington and Shirley lives in Eastern Oregon. Ora and Vena were also farmers and during the dust bowl they lost their farm in 1933. Roy came out to Oregon to work and once he had established a place to live he went back to Kansas to bring his family to Newberg Oregon. They remained there the rest of their lives. Vivian completed high school in Newberg and worked at a café called Flanagan's, which is still there. This is where she met Samuel Walter McDowell, who went by Walt. The story of how they met is a classic love story where the boy, Walt, comes down from Parrot Mountain where his family are turkey farmers and stops into the local café, meets and falls in love with the waitress. Walt had graduated earlier from Philomath high school. Walt and Vivian were married April 21, 1942 and moved to Ocean Lakes. There they were blessed with two daughters; Susan and Kathy. The family loved to bowl in the early years. After that, Vivian and Walt discovered square dancing where they joined the Surfside Squares. They loved square dancing so much they traveled all over Oregon and even up to Canada. Walt was a square dance caller. Walt and Vivian lived in the Lincoln City area until Walt passed away in August 1983. They were married for 41 wonderful years. In 1985 Vivian started traveling to Lake Havasu and Yuma Arizona to visit Kathy and Marvel. It is in Arizona where she met and Curtis Lingefeter and were later married in 1995. Vivian continued to travel until it became difficult for her, so she returned to her roots and stayed home in Lincoln City. Vivian was a woman of Christian faith and attended First Baptist every Sunday until she could not attend anymore. To Vivian Elaine McDowell Lingenfeter we say - UNTO God's gracious mercy and protection we commit you. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and evermore. Amen. To My Mom My eyes can no longer see your smile, Yet my heart still feels its warmth My ears can no longer hear your voice, Yet your words of wisdom fill my every day I can no longer hold your hand Yet it still guides my every step What we see, hear, touch is only temporary What we feel and learn and love is eternal... You are always with me Vivian was loved and shall be missed in her absence, but she will still live on in the memories of her family and friends.

Tributes

Vivian Elaine McDowell - Lingenfeter

February 17, 1920 - August 7, 2015