Vicki Louise McDowell

Vicki Louise McDowell, 77, of Lucas, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 18, 2025. She was born December 4, 1947, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Arvis and Christina ‘Louise’ (Corwin) Elliott.

Vicki grew up on a farm near Paradise, Kansas, and graduated from Paradise Rural High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University, a degree that fueled a lifelong passion for teaching and nurturing young minds. Her first teaching job took her to an Indian reservation in South Dakota, where she immersed herself in a new community and shared her gift for education.

On November 12, 1969, Vicki married the love of her life, Jim McDowell. Together, they built a life full of love and partnership. Vicki continued her teaching career in Smith Center and Gaylord before moving to Sylvan Grove in 1980. She taught in Sylvan Grove until her retirement, leaving an indelible mark on countless students throughout her decades-long career. She had a unique ability to connect with every child, making each one feel seen, valued, and capable.

Although Vicki never had children of her own, she was the beautiful and irreplaceable glue that held her family together. Her love for her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews was boundless and unconditional. She loved and cherished each of them as her own, filling their lives with warmth, guidance, and unwavering support. Her family will forever remember her as a cornerstone of love, strength, and joy.

Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, Arvis and Louise Elliott. She is survived by her loving husband, Jim McDowell; her siblings, Dwight Elliott (Owassa, OK), Paul Elliott (Dodge City, KS), and Arlene Morgan (Wichita, KS); and a large, adoring family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A celebration of Vicki’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Lucas Community Church in Lucas, Kansas. Family will greet guests from 9:30 A.M. to service time the day of the service at the church.  The family will have a graveside service at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, August 22nd, at the Mount Herman Cemetery in Paradise, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Lucas Community Church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.