Eliana was born on November 7th, 2000, at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler, AZ. When she was five years old, she moved to Colorado Springs and then the town of Simla a few years later where she began playing basketball and volleyball. She loved living the country life, was passionate about horses, an avid Breyer collector, and participated in various 4H classes, including shooting sports, dog obedience and showmanship, as well as rabbit showmanship, competing at the county and state levels. Crossroads Youthworks was a key factor in her walk with Christ, where she attended VBS, as well as Bible studies, and developed new and lasting friendships. Eliana lived in Simla until she was thirteen, at which time she returned to Arizona with her mother and sisters. Eliana spent her high school years in the Phoenix area, where she played basketball and volleyball for EVAC Sports (loving most the years she played with her sister Hannah), began her love of foreign languages, worked as a vet tech, and enjoyed spending time with her many friends.

Eliana Oguin sadly left us on May 2nd, 2023. She was stationed at Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, Texas. Eliana joined the army in 2020 and decided to specialize in linguistics, where she studied at the Defense Language Institute, specializing in Russian, in which she was fluent. During her time in the Army, Eliana developed many close relationships with fellow soldiers and several instructors. She enjoyed Saturday morning outings with "The Squad" (a small group of close friends whom she cared for dearly), touring the area around Monterey Bay, and playing board and video games, as well as drawing pictures with her friends.

Eliana was such a beautiful and joyful soul and everybody enjoyed being around her. She loved playing basketball, volunteering with horses, attending services and Bible study at her local church, and loved playing and listening to classical and soundtrack music. Eliana was very artistic, playing the guitar, violin, and piano, as well as drawing and painting amazing pictures. She loved working with animals and owned several during her lifetime including her parakeet, two guinea pigs, and several rabbits. Her most loyal and favorite companion was her dog, Buddy, who joined her on backpacking adventures in the Superstition Mountains. She loved going on many adventures, such as long hikes or camping with friends and family, as well as skiing and off-roading in her beloved jeep with her best friend and roommate at Fort Bliss, Mary Carroll. Eliana was very competitive and loved playing board games and video games with her family and friends, both at home and in the Army.

Eliana left behind her parents: Lisa (Mueller) Oguin, Anthony Oguin; siblings: Alyssa Oguin, Hannah Oguin, Isaac Oguin, Elizabeth (Mueller) and Nicholas Kelley; niece: Brooklyn Kelley, nephews Denzel Rasch and Christopher Kelley; aunt: Jamie Mueller; cousin: Nelson Mueller; grandparents Darrell and Mary Gail Mueller, and Liz Oguin. She was preceded in death by niece Brianna Hope Kelley and Leah Burns, a close family friend.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be sent to CrossRoads Youth Works or USA Clydesdale Preservation Foundation

CrossRoads Youth Works: 300 Sioux Ave P.O. Box 371 Simla, Colorado 80835 (719) 541-3201

USA Clydesdale Preservation Foundation: 602-803-4051 [email protected] Savetheclydes.org