Susan “Sue” Buckingham Evans passed away on her 86th birthday, May 17, 2025, after having been admitted earlier that day to the Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, MT.
Sue Evans was born in Great Falls, Montana on May 17, 1939. She was the second child of Theresa and Fred Buckingham. Growing up, she spent her summers reading books (she loved reading Walt Disney, adventure stories by Rudyard Kipling and any books about horses), playing with her four siblings, and riding her pony at the family’s Luppold Ranch outside of White Sulphur Springs. Her winters were spent “in town.” She always felt that she had grown up in an idyllic childhood life filled with ranch style adventures, classy parties organized by her mother and aunt, and lazy summer afternoons immersed in a good book.
Sue graduated high school in 1957 and attended her first year of college at St. Catherines, Saint Paul, Minnesota, majoring in art. The following year, she transferred to Montana State College and enrolled in Elementary Education. She joined the Kappa Delta sorority as well as the Neumann Club. It was at the Neumann Club that she met her future husband, Jerry Evans. They dated throughout her junior year upon which time Jerry graduated. They were married shortly after her college graduation in 1961 and moved to Chicago where she was a teacher while Jerry finished his tour of duty in the US Army.
In 1962, Sue and Jerry moved to the Surprise Creek ranch outside of Stanford, MT. It was while at Surprise Creek that her first two sons were born. In 1966, they moved to the Cobb ranch a mile south of Geyser, MT where they raised the rest of their family.
Sue loved her family, art, community and travel. Sue was a founding member of the Geyser Art Club and outside of her family, the Club was undoubtedly the thing in her life that brought her purpose and joy. Sue was also involved in the St Cyril’s Alter Society, the local Republican Women’s Club, the Geyser School Board, the Lucky Clover 4-H Club, and the Cub Scouts. She annually administered the Andrew Evans scholarship fund and thoroughly enjoyed traveling both afar and near in her Montana backyard.
While raising her family, many summer vacation memories were made in the neighboring Canadian provinces, and in both Glacier and Yellowstone Parks. Some of her best family adventures were even closer to home either hiking Old Baldy mountain, XC skiing O’Brien Creek, or canoeing the Missouri and Smith Rivers (her last time while being very much pregnant with her sixth son, Pat). Once the kids had all left home, Sue and Jerry ventured abroad. She said that her biggest thrills were landing in a small airplane on a Mount Denali glacier, soaring in a hot air balloon through the skies over New Zealand, gazing on the spectacular high country of Peru, taking a moonlight swim off a beach in Hawaii, parasailing with a niece in Cancun, and experiencing an African savannah all the while realizing that it really wasn’t much different from Montana (notwithstanding the lions, leopards and elephants). She also visited Europe, Australia, Mexico, and Egypt. Each and every one of those locations holds countless family stories of both adventure as well as humorous calamity.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Theresa Buckingham, her sister, Peggy Jesperson, her brother, Rick Buckingham, and her grandson, Andrew Evans. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Evans; her sisters: Barbara Hickey and Patty Knight; her sons: Bill, Joe (Stephanie), John, Mike (Michelle), Jamie (Erika) and Pat; her grandchildren: Jake (Sloan), Paige, Kyle (Allie), Tucker, Tate, Katie, Megan, Desmond and Scarlett; and her great grandchildren: Millie, Lainey, and Tayson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, May 24th at St. Bartholomew’s Church in White Sulphur Springs with internment following at Mayn Cemetery. A reception at the White Sulphur Springs Community Center will start at 1 PM. On Monday the 26th, at 9:30 AM, please join the family for a Celebration of Life at the Geyser Community Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations made to the Andrew Evans Scholarship Fund, please send to Geyser Educational Foundation, PO Box 223, Raynesford, MT 59469.
Service Schedule
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00am
Saturday May 24, 2025
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
407 2nd Ave. SE
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Interment
Following the Funeral Mass
Saturday May 24, 2025
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
407 2nd Ave. SE
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Saturday May 24, 2025
Meagher County Community Center
101 1st Ave SE
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Celebration of Her Life
9:30am
Monday May 26, 2025
Geyser Community Hall
105 Railroad Ave
Geyser, MT 59447
Service Schedule
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00am
Saturday May 24, 2025
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
407 2nd Ave. SE
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Interment
Following the Funeral Mass
Saturday May 24, 2025
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
407 2nd Ave. SE
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Saturday May 24, 2025
Meagher County Community Center
101 1st Ave SE
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Celebration of Her Life
9:30am
Monday May 26, 2025
Geyser Community Hall
105 Railroad Ave
Geyser, MT 59447
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LOIS HILL says
Sue will be missed by so many, not only her family but all the people whose lives she touched, always enjoyed visiting with her! Jerry and Sue came to the Geyser/Raynesford Senior Center for lunches, sure fun to connect with them again. Sue certainly was a pillar of the entire community <3
Teresa Wilhelms says
Prayers for Jerry and family. She will be missed.
Wanda Taylor says
I got to know Sue through two separate artist groups. I loved her willingness to try new things. She had a warm and welcoming personality and a lot of wisdom gained from her experiences in life. She will be so missed.
Sue Neumann says
Sue’s faith and love of learning were inspirational. She was always friendly and welcoming to everyone. I loved her sense of humor and common sense. She was a special lady who lived life on her own terms. I will dearly miss her. Prayers
Bruce Evans says
Sue ALWAYS had a great laugh, a positive, joyous attitude! Many, many wonderful memories at their home! Her amazing, kind wisdom is a example for all
Rose Schindler says
Jerry, so sorry to hear the news of Sue’s passing. I will miss her at the Deli here in Stanford. She was a terrific person. Loved her dearly. In
Donna Finstad says
I am so sad. She recently wrote to me and said that she had been ill. I had hoped to see her again. She was my big sis in Kappa Delta. Sue was an inspiration through the years and helped so many. My sincere sympathy to the family. Donna Finstad