Virginia Lea Lowderman

Virginia was born November 16, 1923, to Joe and Minnie Butts and peacefully passed at home on April 17, 2025, at 101 years old. She is survived by her two children, Karen Watkins and Jerald (Jerry) Lowderman; three grandchildren, Ronn Watkins, Jerry Watkins (Pam) and Josh Lowderman; four great grandchildren, Jodi Jenkins (John), Ashley Felkins, Alex Watkins (Miranda) and Cooper Watkins; seven great grandchildren, Trentin and Alivia Jenkins, Taytin, Audrie, Lealia and Josiah Felkins, and Holden Watkins. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Al; her mother and father; her siblings, Helena, Mary, Joe, Grace and Allen; and her granddaughter, Jennie.

Virginia was raised on the family farm outside of Leon, Kansas where she attended all 12 years of school at Leon High School. In high school she was a twirler in the band. Some of her favorite memories of that time were the trips the band would make to perform at different events around the state.

After graduating from high school, she moved to Augusta and lived with her sister, Helena. After which she moved to Wichita where she lived with her sister, Grace. During World War II, like many other young women, she worked at one of the aircraft plants. It was while living with Grace that she met and married the love of her life, Al Lowderman, who was in the Navy. They were married for almost 50 years and many people commented that they had never seen a couple so devoted to each other.

Virginia supported her two children in all of their school activities, was always ready to volunteer to help with field trips, taking a group to swim meets, and any other activities they were involved in.

She loved to travel and play golf. She and her husband traveled to many different states to visit family, friends, and to play different golf courses. After Al passed, she and her daughter Karen, took many car trips together. Virginia would navigate and Karen would try not to get lost. Somehow, they always ended up where they were trying to go-it just took them a little longer to get there! She didn’t seem to have this problem when she would go with her son, Jerald. Unlike Karen, he usually was able to get to where they were going without any problems.

Virginia was kind and considerate to everyone and everyone loved her. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her. She was a true lady.

A memorial has been established with Hospice: In Time of Need Foundation, PO Box 8960, Springfield, MO 65801-8960 WWW.intimeofneedfoundation.org