Susan Lepley
Susan Franchelle Vielleux was born on January 27, 1946, to George and Bessie
(Black) Vielleux. She passed away on Friday, August 28, 2026. Sue graduated
from Fort Benton High School in 1964, and married her childhood sweetheart,
Dale Nottingham. Together they attended college at MT State in Bozeman. They
spent college summers working in Alaska, then moved to Anchorage following
Dale’s graduation. Sue worked for several doctors in Anchorage and later in
Juneau. She was President-Elect of the Alaska Association of Medical Assistants
when Dale was killed in a hunting accident in 1970.
Sue moved back to Montana where she went to work at the Deaconess Hospital in
Great Falls. Shortly thereafter, she married John G. Lepley. They were married 48
years while Jack taught school in Fort Benton and was director of the MT
Agricultural Center. He passed away in 2018. Thanks to a very caring community
and devoted friends, Sue continued to live in her own home and enjoy her
wonderful world of quilting.
She was a Past Matron of Bethany Chapter No. 42 Order of the Eastern Star and
Past Mother Advisor of Rainbow Assembly No. 50, where she held the Grand
Cross of Color. She served the River and Plains Society as Treasurer for many
years and was Treasurer of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Surviving Sue are her brother, Steve (Diane), daughter, Tami (Brian) MacDonald
of Billings, grandchildren, Justin and Ashley and their families, Gary Boe of
Missoula, and four stepchildren. Her three nieces - Sarah, Buffy, and Jenny – as
well as their husbands and children were an important part of her life.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in
Riverside Cemetery. Following the service, please join us in a celebration of her
life at the MT Agricultural Center in Fort Benton. Sue’s family has suggested
memorial donations be made in her memory to the River and Plains Society, PO
Box 262, Fort Benton, MT 59442. Benton Funeral home has been entrusted with
services and arrangements. Please visit Sue’s online memorial page to send a card
or leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.bentonfh.com.