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 www.bentonfh.com.