Nancy S. Van Poucke

Nancy Sue Stone Van Poucke was born February 5, 1935 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to Marie Baggett and Wallace Stone. They moved to Siloam Springs in 1947 where she was active in HS drama and cheerleading. After graduating from Siloam Springs High School, she attended Cottey College in Missouri. After transferring to the University of Arkansas, she met Marcel L. ("Moose") Van Poucke and they were married September 1st, 1956. Moose and Nancy raised 3 daughters in Siloam Springs – Vicki, Kathy, and Patti and Nancy was very active in the girls’ interests. She was the Mother Advisor for the local Assembly of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and Girl Scout Troop leader and cookie chairman. Nancy also was a 50+ yr member of P.E.O., where she served as past local president. She was also a member of Eastern Star and Jayceettes. Nancy was also a long time member of First United Methodist Church in Siloam Springs. As the girls grew older, Nancy focused her energies on the community. She was on the Ozark Guidance Center Board and Friends of the Siloam Springs Public Library. In 1977, she co-founded the Siloam Springs High School Scholarship Program and was on the Board of Directors for many years, which has awarded over 5 million dollars to date. Continuing her love of education, she was active in the Adopt-a-School Program to help raise funds for the local schools. Nancy and Moose developed a love and appreciation of Native American art and that led her to open The Indian Paintbrush Gallery where she supported new artists and recognized artists for their work. She was both a 10-year board member and past president of both the Walton Arts Center of Fayetteville and the Sager Creek Arts Center of Siloam Springs. In 2002, Nancy was awarded the Pioneer Citizen Award. Nancy is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, M.L. (Moose) Van Poucke and granddaughter Tanna Eiland. Survivors include 3 daughters, Vicki Metsers and husband Ron of Mountain View, California; Kathy Murray and husband Mike of Cincinnati, Arkansas; and Patti Eiland and husband Greg of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Christopher Murray, Kevin Metsers, Erik Metsers, Kristi Metsers, and Tabitha Eiland, and one great-grandchild, Braden Murray; and a one niece and three nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Siloam Springs. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs. Memorial contributions can be sent to the Siloam Springs Scholarship Fund, 700 North Progress Avenue, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.

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Nancy S. Van Poucke

February 5, 1935 - December 16, 2017