Suzanne Lieuallen (Lieuallen) Jepsen

Suzanne Lieuallen Jepsen, 92, peacefully entered the Lord’s presence on November 28, 2020. She was born on October 26, 1928, the second of two children to Cecil (Buck) and Violet (Hynd) Lieuallen.

For over 65 years she was the loving and supportive wife of Bob Jepsen, who preceded her in death on July 19, 2016.

Suzanne grew up in Pendleton, but spent many summers visiting cousin Doris at the Hynd Brothers’ Ranch at Cecil and summer pastures near Heppner and Ukiah. As a teen, she had a dramatic role in the annual Happy Canyon Pageant. She played the part of a pioneer woman captured by the natives, who escaped by jumping off a cliff and racing away on horseback. After graduating from Pendleton High School in 1946, she put her riding skills to further use as a Pendleton Round-up Princess.

She then attended what is now known as Oregon State University for a year before taking a job in a local doctor’s office. During this time, she met her husband-to-be, Bob Jepsen of Ione, Oregon while skiing at Spout Springs. Suzanne fell and broke her arm, and Bob, who was on ski patrol that day, came to her rescue. The relationship took off from there and led to their wedding on June 25, 1951.The young couple moved to the wheat ranch near Rhea Creek where Bob had been farming. While there, they were blessed with two children, Susan and Bill. ol

In addition to helping on the farm, as the children grew older, Suzanne started working in Heppner for Dr. Wolff, and later supervised senior meal sites for a multi-county area. When Bob retired from farming in 1991, they moved into Heppner. She devoted much of her time to church and community activities and was instrumental in building the Willow Creek Terrace Assisted Living Facility.

She and Bob especially enjoyed attending the grandkids’ music and sports events. Suzanne loved her Savior, Jesus Christ. She delighted in her grandchildren and the great grandchildren who called her “Grandma GG”. Up until the age of 89, when she entered assisted living,

Suzanne was involved in a wide variety of activities: golfing, Bookworms Club, helping seniors at Willow Creek Terrace and kids at AWANA Bible Club, women’s Bible studies, bridge club, birthday club, and exercise classes.

She leaves a heritage of Christian faith for her family and was an inspirational example of prayer, grace, class, and hospitality.

Those left to cherish her memories are her daughter, Susan Bullington of Umatilla, son Bill (Nancy) of Enterprise, six grandchildren: Brad (Tracy) Bullington, Matthew (Erin) Jepsen, Daniel (Bethany) Jepsen, Eric (Caitlin) Jepsen, Amy (Tyler) Schaffeld, and Rebecca (Richard) Matthews. Also 11 great grandchildren: Blake and Brody Bullington, Natalie, Seth, Cody, Abi, Laurelee, Anna, Cecily and Adelaide Jepsen, and Whitney, Jacey, and Tessa Schaffeld. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Frank and husband Bob.

A Celebration of Life was  Sunday, December 13,  at Willow Creek Baptist Church in Heppner, followed by a graveside service at the Heppner Masonic Cemetery.   Memorial contributions can be made to one of Suzanne’s longtime favorite charities, the Salvation Army at 150 SE Emigrant Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801, or online at https://pendleton.salvationarmy.org/ 

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