Obituary of John Prins

Memorial Tribute John Arthur Prins, the son of John J. and Johanna (Van Veldhuizen) Prins was born on September 1, 1933 on a farm by Sanborn, IA. He attended country school, then moved to a farm close to Primghar, IA in 1947 and graduated from Primghar High School in 1951. After graduation he enlisted into the United States Army. He was proud to serve his country and spent one year in Germany. In 1957 he was united in marriage to Darlene Cuperus at the Sheldon Christian Reformed Church. To this union three children were born, Darla (stillborn), Barbara and Steven. They lived in Primghar and John worked for his dad. In 1961, they moved to Orange City, IA where he worked for Visser Brothers’ Plumbing and Heating. In 1966, they moved to Hartley, IA where he started Prins Plumbing and Heating. Big John was a very successful business man. He dearly loved his work. They started the Hartley Laundromat in 1989. In 2007, he sold his business to his son, Steve. He was an active member of the Hartley Lions Club where he was on the board and earned the Warren Coleman Honorary Award. John was a member of the American Reformed Church in Primghar, Iowa where he was active in Sunday school and an Elder at the time of his death. He was very faithful to his Lord. John and Darlene loved to do mission work and helped with several mission projects for 13 years. The last three years they enjoyed spending their winters in Texas. On May 28, John had his first stroke with many more to follow. With the complications of diabetes, he fought this battle hard. John passed away at the Baum Harmon Mercy Hospital on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife, Darlene of 53 years; a daughter: Barbara Monster and her husband, Jeff, of Ocheyedan, IA, their three daughters: Amber Den Hartog and her husband, Deric, and son Tommy of Boyden, IA, Rachel and Erin Monster of Ocheyedan, IA; a son: Steven Prins and his wife, Debra, of Hartley, IA, their children: Bridget Leach and her husband, Jason, and daughter, Kara Mae, of Harrisburg, SD, Jodi Boyd of Boyden, IA and her fiancé, Daryl Krikke of Sanborn, IA and David Boyd of Hartley, IA; one sister: Arlene Thorne and her husband, Bernard, of Bentonville, AK, and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a daughter Darla Prins. A Celebration of Life John Arthur Prins Born ~ September 1, 1933 Died ~ November 19, 2009 Age ~ 76 years 2 months 18 days Memorial Service 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 23, 2009 American Reformed Church Primghar, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Dennis Hietbrink Organist ~ Linda Walvoord Quartet ~ (Granddaughters) Amber Den Hartog, Rachel & Erin Monster, Bridget Leach Singing ~ “I Will Rise” Duet ~ Dave & Emily Vander Broek Singing ~ “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” Congregational Singing Processional ~ “It Is Well With My Soul” Recessional ~ “When We All Get To Heaven” Pallbearers Dave Van Beek Airlin DeVos Elmer Dykstra Klass Groen Harlan Boeve Ernie Bruns Ushers Julius Damstra Daryl Haack Dave Steffens Military Graveside Rite Conducted by Arthur W. Kirchoff Post #288 Hartley, IA Interment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 23, 2009