Elaine Beth Prins

Elaine Beth (Van Essen) Prins was born to Nelvin and Jennie (Vander Top) Van Essen on March 16, 1954. She attended Edgerton Christian Elementary School and later Southwest MN Christian High School. Elaine professed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior at First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton, MN. Elaine met a young man named Lloyd Prins on a blind date and they decided to make a lifelong commitment to each other on April 19, 1973. They served as teammates for 52 years.

Elaine lived a full life raising 3 wonderful children with the Lord’s gracious help. She was a faithful teammate on the farm. Besides helping with all the duties that the farm required, she also worked at several part-time jobs over the years. One of her favorite jobs was cooking hot meals for the students at Southwest MN Christian. She participated in Bible studies and loved to serve. She was known for her hospitality and she blessed many families and individuals with her homemade meals and encouragement. She loved her family dearly. She made birthdays special and Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter were special times filled with family traditions that will be fondly remembered. Cousins’ camp was the highlight of the grandchildren’s summer for years. More recently, a week spent at the lake together created cherished memories for her entire family.

Elaine was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in April 2002. She fought that battle and won. Her cancer was in remission for 20 years. As a cancer survivor, she quietly walked alongside countless others, ministering to them as they walked their own cancer journeys. The cancer returned in 2023. She fought valiantly. She loved the Lord and shared His love with those around her. As she faced death, she experienced a peace that only God can give. Elaine went to her heavenly home on January 28, 2026 at the age of 71 years, 10 months, and 12 days.

Grateful for being her teammate for 52 years is her husband Lloyd. She is lovingly remembered by her three children and twelve grandchildren: Corey and Cindy, Kianna, Kaylee and Carter Prins of Marshall, MN; Shawna and Nick, Jonathon and fiancée Peyton, Nicole, Tabitha, Jessica, Tyler, and Caleb Sjaarda of Beaver Creek, MN; and Justin and Tricia, Mara, Miles and Maybri Prins of Edgerton, MN; her siblings: Ron (Deb) Van Essen of Ripon, CA; Virg (Fay) Van Essen of Edgerton, MN; Ken (Diane) Van Essen of Yankton, SD; Gloria (Brian) Top of Sioux Falls, SD; Marcia (Ryan) Achterhoff of Sioux Falls, SD; Evonne (John) Top of Luverne, MN; brothers and sisters-in-law: Glenn (Mavis) Prins, Bernice Van’t Hul, Rose (Rolly) Van Nieuwenhuyzen, Karen (John) Kooiman; nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will be deeply missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister-in-law Willie Van Essen, and brother-in-law Bern Van’t Hul.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elaine Beth Prins, please visit our floral store.