Obituary of Conrad Prins

Jacob Conrad Colsman Prins, son of John and Henrietta Louise (Colsman) Prins, was born on a farm in Sioux County, IA on July 3, 1920. He spent his youth in Sioux and O'Brien counties where he received his education, graduating from Sanborn High School in 1938. Con served his country from 1942 to 1945 with the United States Navy during WWII. On July 24, 1943, he was united in marriage to Gladys Joyce Post at the Church of the Roses in Chula Vista, CA. To this union, four children were born. Following his honorable discharge, Con returned to Sanborn, IA. In 1946, he joined the Prins Insurance Company along with his father, John, who began the business in 1936. For the next 42 years, Con grew the company to a staff of 32 employees with 5 offices. During his career, he had served as the president of the Professional Insurance Agents of Iowa, was named the State of Iowa "Agent of the Year" by PIA, and founded the First Insurance Finance Co. Con not only managed his business successfully, but gave back to his community as well. He served on the Sanborn School Board, and the Sanborn City Council. He will be remembered as a generous donor towards projects that the entire community will benefit from. Con was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sanborn where he had participated as Elder and Deacon. He was also a member of the Sanborn American Legion, Post #318, and in later years, was instrumental in organizing Naval Reunions of the WWII Navy ship, the USS Telfar. With a full schedule from week to week, and a family to raise, it was hard to find time to just kick back. It wasn't until he retired from Prins Insurance in 1988, that Con even picked up a golf club...something he would enjoy to the age of 93! He also liked to fish, shoot pool, and in earlier years, go hunting. He and Gladys were fortunate enough to do a great deal of traveling together - some in the United States, many trips to foreign countries; it was always good to be home again. Con passed from this life on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at the age of 94. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 71 years, Gladys, of Sanborn, IA; children: Dennis (Diana) Prins of Sanborn, Bruce (Corrine) Prins of Sisseton, SD, Cheryl (Ken) Walter of Brandon, SD, and Bryan (Sheila) Prins of Sisseton, SD; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends. Preceeding him in death were his parents; brother, John Prins; sisters: Berdeda Blankers, Julia DeKievers, and Louise De Vries. Celebration of Life Conrad "Con" Prins Born ~ July 3, 1920 Died ~ June 27, 2015 Age ~ 94 years 11 months 24 days Funeral Service Wednesday, July 1, 2015 ~ 10:30 a.m. First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Paul Van Maaren Organist ~ Jill Dykstra Pianist ~ Judy Dykstra Congregational Singing Processional ~ "How Great Thou Art" #147 "Battle Hymn of the Republic" #804 Recessional ~ "How Firm A Foundation" #408 Pallbearers Jacob Prins Jhett Prins Rick Prins John Prins Chris Kielman Lance Bollmeyer Joe Martin Jim Daly Honorary Pallbearers Past and Present Employees of Prins Insurance Company Ushers Rich Vanden Hoek ~ Larry Peelen ~ Craig Camarigg Interment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn Iowa