Blanche Elizabeth Oslin

Blanche Elizabeth (Harper) Oslin, 91, of Springdale, Arkansas, formerly of Sioux City passed away Friday, December 3rd, 2021 at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, AR after a long illness.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. The service will be live streamed at https://youtu.be/Et4kkIFIb0Y. Visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Monday, December 6, 2021, also at the chapel. Interment will be at 1:00 P.M. Friday, December 10, 2021 at Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences can be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Blanche was born September 3, 1930 in her grandmother’s home in Leeds, Iowa the daughter of Robert and Vinnie (Lariviere) Harper.  She attended various city and country schools growing up in northwest Iowa until she met and married the love of her life, Daniel Oslin.  She married Dan on August 18, 1949 in Dakota City, Nebraska.  To this union, three children were born.  Dan preceded Blanche in death on January 20, 1985 in Sioux City. 

Blanche was active in the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 54 Auxiliary, the American Legion Post 307 Auxiliary, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles #2492 and was an avid supporter of the Iowa Army National Guard (2nd BN (Mech) 133rd INF) and a member of the Family Readiness Group. She was one of a very few civilians to be presented with a coin from the Iowa Adjutant General’s Office by General Warren Lawsen for Outstanding Service to the Military. She was also presented with a flag that was flown over Camp Monteith, Kosovo when the Iowa Army National Guard was on active duty there in 2004. She was the recipient of many awards of appreciation for her service and support of the National Guard. For many years, she baked up to 90 dozen cookies each month to take to their drill weekends.  She served as an adult advisor for the military Explorer Post sponsored by the Boys Scouts of America and the Iowa Army National Guard. She was affectionately known as Mrs. Mom to many of the soldiers who served between 1985 - 2009 and could often be seen on Highway 75 North waving to “her guardsmen” as they traveled out of town for their yearly training and they were excited to see her welcoming them home when they returned.  One guardsman said that they knew they were almost home when they saw Mrs. Mom waving. When she retired to Prime Living Estates in Le Mars, Iowa after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, the guardsmen joined together to move her belongings for her.  In 2014, she moved to Bentonville, Arkansas to be closer to her daughters.

Until her illness took over, Blanche loved having coffee with her friends, spending time with her children and grandchildren, playing cards and board games and attending church.  She was a second mom to many of her children’s friends as they were growing up and many stayed in touch for years.  Her greatest joy was to know that she touched someone’s life.

Survivors include her daughters JoAnn Eby of Galena, KS and Kitty (Randy) Matz of Rogers, Arkansas; eight grandchildren, Jim (Kelly) Crippen of Polk City, Iowa, Jon (Megan) Simons of Baxter Springs, Kansas, Frank Simons of Baxter Springs, Kansas, Randy Simons of Galena, Kansas, Jerry Simons of Oklahoma, Mark (Melissa) Matz of Bentonville, Arkansas, David Matz of Rogers, Arkansas, and Jordan Matz of Bentonville, Arkansas; 16 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and many special friends from the Iowa Army National Guard.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two step-fathers, her husband, her son: SSG James A. Oslin, her grandson Daniel Simons, and two infant granddaughters, Christine and Cathleen.

Memorials can be directed to Soldier and Family Readiness Group.