Obituary of Darlene Prins

In Memory Darlene Prins, daughter of Nick and Nancy (Van Engen) Cuperus was born on February 7, 1938 in Hull, IA. She lived her youth in Sheldon, IA and attended Sheldon Christian School through the 8th grade. Following graduation, she worked as a retail clerk and waitress in Sheldon. On June 20, 1957, Darlene was united in marriage to John Prins at the Sheldon Christian Reformed Church. To this union, three children were born: Darla (stillborn), Barbara and Steven. Following their marriage they lived in Primghar, IA where Darlene worked as a clerk at Sheridan’s Five and Dime store. They moved to Orange City, IA when John took a job with Visser Bros. Plumbing & Heating. While there, Darlene worked as a clerk in a grocery store. In 1966, they moved to Hartley, IA and began Prins Plumbing & Heating. Darlene was the secretary and bookkeeper until 2007. In 1989, John and Darlene opened Prins Laundromat which Darlene ran until 2011. In November 2012, Darlene moved to Prairie View in Sanborn, IA and resided there until her passing on Friday, October 11, 2013 at the age of 75. In addition to her business duties, Darlene was a traditional homemaker; sweet rolls and pies were her specialty. She also enjoyed working in the garden; her house and yard were both well kept. As a young girl, Darlene learned to sew out of necessity. She became an excellent seamstress, winning many blue ribbons at the Clay County Fair. She loved to sew for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Darlene was a member of the American Reformed Church in Primghar and sang with the Praise Team as long as she was able. She respected the value of hard work and determination, both qualities she shared on many mission trips with the Reformed Church over a span of 13 years. She made many special friends through the Hartley Lions Club. In 2009, Darlene lost her beloved John; she then began a series of health struggles. Through these times, she relied on her Lord to sustain her, claiming Phillipians 4:13. Her cancer returned in July 2013. Darlene proudly celebrated her goal of attending her granddaughter’s wedding on September 28, 2013. Five days later, she declared she was at peace and ready to be with the Lord and John. Over the last seven years, Darlene’s pride and joy were her six little great-grandchildren. She loved them with a passion and cherished the time they shared. Darlene is survived by her children: Barbara (Jeff) Monster and their children: Amber (Deric) Den Hartog, Tommy, Patrick, and Jase all of Ocheyedan, IA, Rachel (Jason) Blankers of Matlock, IA and Erin (Aaron) Boll of Sanborn, IA; Steven (Debra) Prins of Hartley, IA, and their children: Bridget (Jason) Leach, Karalynn and Taten of Harrisburg, SD, Jodi (Daryl) Krikke, Brandon, Trevor, and Maxton of Sanborn, IA and David Boyd of Hartley, IA; brother, Cliff Cuperus of Tecoma, WA; sisters: Elsie (Bernard) Graanstra of Ocheyedan, IA, Marlene (Arthur) Franken of Sioux Center, IA, Donna (Gene) Reitsma of Bellflower, CA, Judy (Doug) Smid of Pella, IA; sisters-in-law: Lois Cuperus of Mesa, AZ and Arlene (Bernard) Thorne of Alva, OK. Preceding her in death were her parents and in-laws; her husband John; infant daughter, Darla; and her brother, Erwin Cuperus. Celebration of Life Darlene Prins Born ~ February 7, 1938 Died ~ October 11, 2013 Age ~ 75 years 8 months 4 days Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 14, 2013 American Reformed Church Primghar, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Dennis Hietbrink Organist ~ Alyda Haack Musical Tribute ~ Granddaughters Bridget Leach Amber Den Hartog Rachel Blankers Erin Boll Singing ~ "I Will Rise" Praise Team ~ "Amazing Grace (My Chain Are Gone)" Congregational Singing Processional ~ "He Lives" Recessional ~ "Blessed Assurance" Pallbearers Deric Den Hartog Daryl Krikke Jason Leach Jason Blankers David Boyd Aaron Boll Honorary Pallbearers ~ Great-Grandchildren Tommy Den Hartog Kara Leach Patrick Den Hartog Tate Leach Jase Den Hartog Maxton Krikke Ushers Larry Heemstra ~ Daryl Haack ~ Ivan Wiersma Interment Pleasant View Cemetery - Hartley, IA Prior to the memorial service