Herman (Harm) Prins was born on May 9, 1932, to Berend and Jantina 

(Te Velde) in Tweede, Exloermond, The Netherlands. 

   He was the eldest of six children. The family immigrated to the United States after WWII when Herman was 20 years old. Initially they lived in Southern California in the Westminster area where the family operated a dairy farm. Not long after living in the United States Herman returned to The Netherlands to marry Grace (Gesien) Ham on August 13, 1954. They became naturalized U.S. citizens in 1962. Together they had three children; Bernard, Alvin, and Elaine 

   Herman was a dairy farmer in San Martin, CA, until the age of 40 and a real estate broker/appraiser for the next 40 years as the owner of Ripon Real Estate.  He enjoyed conversations with old and new friends, sharing stories of life in the Netherlands during WWII, reading, working on vehicles, and watching historical documentaries. He had a servant’s heart and shared his faith in the Lord with others. He instilled in his children the importance of faith, hard work, pursuing one’s goals, and living a life of integrity. Over the years Herman was a member of several Christian Reformed Churches and a member

of Zion United Reformed Church during the latter part of his life. 

   Herman spent the last fifteen months of his life at Beth Haven in Ripon, CA. His family is grateful for the care he received there. He passed peacefully into eternal

life to be with his Lord and Savior on September 28, 2023, at the age of 91. 

   Herman is survived by his wife Grace; three children, Bernard (Pearl), Alvin, and Elaine (Kenneth); six grandchildren, Jennifer (Loren), Benjamin (Rachel), William, Alexander, Annalie, and Elyssa; three great-grandchildren, Henry, Miles, and Makenzie; and three sisters. 

Herman was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and brother.

   A graveside service for family members will be held on October 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ripon Cemetery followed by a public memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Zion United Reformed Church in Ripon, CA

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Thursday, October 5, 2023