Obituary of John Prins

John William Prins, the son of Peter and Johanna (VanSurksum) Prins, was born at Lismore, MN on February 23, 1928. He lived his youth near Leota, MN and attended country school there. John was united in marriage to Margaret Talsma on October 17, 1947 at Chandler, MN. John was employed at a service station in Chandler for one year. In 1950, they moved to Sanborn, IA where John worked five years for Leonard Blok as a farm hand, he later farmed on his own for five years. Margaret passed away on Dec. 21, 1984. John remarried Maureen Freda (Smith) DeVos on Dec. 27, 1985. John was employed by AMPI in Sanborn for 27 years, retiring in 1992. He has since volunteered many hours at Wheelchair Ministries in Sanborn. John passed away at his home in Sanborn on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, at the age of 84 years. He was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Sanborn where he served as Head Usher, and sang in the choir, as well as with the “Chordmasters” barbershop group. John enjoyed fishing, camping and bowling, and would always stop for a cup of coffee with family or friends. He especially treasured the time spent tinkering with his sons. He was preceded in death by his parents: first wife, Margaret; son, Paul Renard Prins, and 13 siblings. Survivors include his second wife: Maureen Freda (Smith) (DeVos) Prins; his children: Ronda (Duane) Van Veldhuizen, Roy (Jeri) Prins, Mark Prins (girlfriend, Lisa Kinney), Myra (Brian) Wolfswinkel all of Sanborn, IA, and Lois (Larry) Heemstra of Primghar, IA, step-children: Gary and Jan DeVos of Louisville, NE, and Gene and Lynnette DeVos of Boyden, IA; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Annie Vander Broek of Edgerton, MN; Hattie (Gerrit) Terpstra of Buckeye, AZ; sister-in-law: Dorothy Prins of Edgerton, MN; brother-in-law: Bernard Hofkamp of Oak Harbor, WA; many other relatives and friends. Celebration of Life John W. Prins Born ~ February 23, 1928 Died ~ August 21, 2012 Age ~ 84 years 5 months 18 days Memorial Service 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 25, 2012 Christian Reformed Church ~ Sanborn, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Al Van Dellen Organist ~ Thelma Elgersma Pianists ~ Starla Reitsma, Jamie Carlson Duet ~ Rachel Schirmer, Beth Wolfswinkel “If I Be Lifted Up” ~ “Amazing Grace” Quartet~ Andy Prins, Aaron Alons, Gerald Alons, John Schreurs “He Leadeth Me” “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” Congregational Music Processional ~ “How Great Thou Art” # 483 Recessional ~ “To Be God the Glory” #473 Pall Bearers Jerad DeVos Art DeVos William Wolfswinkel Andy Prins Justin Wolfswinkel Darren Prins Daniel Wolfswinkel Brandon Prins Michael Prins Honorary Pall Bearers Peggy Japenga Rachel Schirmer Heather Youde Jamie Carlson Justin DeVos Joshua DeVos Jessica DeVos Ushers Harv Van Oort Jim Van Dyke John Vander Werff Lee Van Tol Interment Chandler Memorial Cemetery ~ Chandler, MN (10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 25th)