Leonard Biggs

Services for Leonard Biggs, 79, of West Des Moines, will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at VanArsdale Funeral Home in Madison, KS. Leonard will be laid to rest with his family in Potwin, KS at McGill Cemetery.

Leonard was born on December 28, 1945, in Potwin, Kansas to Lawrence and Dorothy. He was raised on the family farm with two siblings, Carole and Lyman and graduated from Whitewater High School. Leonard spent time in Chicago as a young adult working prior to returning home to Kansas to attend Emporia State University where he met Marcia. The couple got married and had three daughters Heather, Robin, and Laura. Leonard spent time working on the family farm, volunteering as a firefighter, working in rehabilitation counseling, and as a city administration in Madison, Kansas and Richmond, Missouri.

Later, he married Donette, who had two children, Becky and Eric. He worked as the city administrator in Park City, Kansas and was later elected as mayor and served two terms. Down the road, Leonard earned a degree in special education and taught school as special education teacher. When he wasn’t teaching in school, he spent his summers farming and raising various animals including cattle, horses, pigs, llamas, goats, and sheep.

Leonard earned several degrees in his areas of study including a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling, Master’s in Public Administration, and a Master’s in Special Education.

There was a lot of involvement in community organization and activities for Leonard. He cared for all people and was very diverse. Growing up during the civil rights movements highly impacted Leonard and he believed in equal rights and opportunities for all people. He was raised in faith and attended church as an adult. Leonard was an active member of the democratic party and was involved at the community and state level in Kansas and even ran for both City Commissioner and State Representative. It was always his desire to help mankind. His family and friends will remember him for his great sense of humor and was also known by his family to be ornery.

Throughout his life he enjoyed spending time on the farm with his family teaching his children and grandchildren how to raise animals, garden, and work hard. Leonard enjoyed a wide variety of literature, arts, and music. He enjoyed traveling and attending various events to appreciate these arts and to continue to learn. Sharing these arts, along with multicultural events, with his children and grandchildren was very important to him as well.

Leonard passed away on August 28, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was proceeded in death by his father Lawrence (1991), his mother Dorothy (2006), his sister Carole (2005), his brother Lyman (1960), and his stepdaughter Becky (2016).

Leonard is survived by his three daughters: Heather Etten of Grandview, MO, Robin Fauske of Lino Lakes, MN, and Laura Biggs of Emporia, KS; stepson, Eric Kintzel (Stacey) of Halstead, KS; twelve grandchildren: Ashley Rubio (Kevin), Jame Rahmani, Brooke Whitmore, Kayly Lindsey (Drew), James Asbury, Makenzie Marushin, Vincent Marushin, Taylor Loveall, Brandon Loveall, Grace Loveall, George Kintzel, and Caitlin Kintzel, and two great granddaughters, Tobiah (Pumpkin), Ellowyn, and a great grandson on the way.