Henry S. Prins

Sibley, IA Henry S. Prins, age 88 of Sibley, IA died Monday, September 9, 2013 at the Country View Manor in Sibley, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 13th at First Reformed Church of Sibley. Burial will follow at the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley. Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 12th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Henry Simon Prins was born February 17, 1925 at the family farm between Brewster and Worthington, Minnesota. He was the son of Anno and Sophia (Frey) Prins. He attended country school and helped with the family farm. On February 9, 1945 Henry entered the United States Army and served in the 65th Engineer Construction Battalion in Japan. He received his honorable discharge on December 9, 1946 and returned to his family and continued to help with the farm. On February 14, 1948 Henry was married to Mildred Schutte. She passed away unexpectedly on February 26, 1949. Several years later Henry was married to Katherine Schram on April 10, 1951. Through the years Henry farmed and raised livestock near Sibley and Reading, MN. He retired in 1998 when he and Katherine moved to a home in Sibley. He was an active member of the First Reformed Church in Sibley, serving as Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent. He enjoyed traveling, which included short drives through the State and National Parks. He was known for his sense of humor and singing throughout the day. He also enjoyed visiting with people and spending time outside. He was very proud to raise crops and livestock. Most of all, he was proud of his children and grandchildren. In April of 2009 Henry entered Country View Manor due to failing health. He remained there until this past Monday, September 9, 2013, where he died at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Katherine Prins of Sibley, IA; four children, Audrey (Larry) Harris of West Des Moines, IA, Jean (Bill) Kleve of Worthington, MN, LaVonne Prins of Sibley, IA and Gordon (Nancy) Prins of Rock Falls, IA; eight grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Hanna Wiersma of Sibley, IA; a brother, John (Judy) Haren of Blaine, MN; three brothers-in-law, Don (Jen) Schram, Ray (Ellen) Schram and Harold (Lynn) Schram , all of Sibley, IA; one sister-in-law, Ann (Albert) Brouwer of Slayton, MN; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anno and Sophia Prins; wife, Mildred Prins; three sisters, Matilda Loetscher, Marie Kruger and Grace Schutte.