Hazel Prinsen

Hazel Mae Prinsen…

was born to William M. and Hazel (Minor) Nihart on May 4, 1924 on a farm in Shaokatan Township of Lincoln County, near Lake Benton, Minnesota. She was raised in various places near Lake Benton where she also attended school. Upon completion of her education, she did housecleaning for others. On July 13, 1941, she was united in marriage to Walter Gitchell Prinsen at the pastor’s home in Tyler, Minnesota. Shortly after their marriage, Walter went into the service. While he was in the service, Hazel lived in Florida. After Walter’s discharge from the service, they farmed near Lake Benton. During this time, Hazel also worked at Swift and Company in Marshall, Minnesota, Clippers Caf and Store in Verdi, Minnesota, the Eagle’s Restaurant in Pipestone, Minnesota, and the Senior Center in Pipestone. In 1961, they began farming in Troy Township, north of Pipestone. She worked hard on the farm while also raising their children. In 1978, they purchased an acreage in Troy Township. Walter preceded her in death on August 13, 1988. After his death, Hazel continued to live on the acreage until 1988 when she moved into Pipestone. On Friday, June 8, 2012, she died at the Pipestone County Hospice House at the age of 88 years, one month, and four days.

Hazel was a member of Faith Community Church in Pipestone where she helped serve in the kitchen and volunteered her time in the nursery. She enjoyed sewing and made quilts for her family. She also enjoyed gardening and had a beautiful flower garden. She was always an ambitious homemaker and a natural hostess. She made everyone feel at home. She was a great cook, and everyone loved her fried chicken and homemade pies. She enjoyed playing cards with her sisters. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Hazel Hanson and her husband Abe of Bemidji, Minnesota, William Prinsen and his wife Mary of Wyoming, Minnesota, John Prinsen and his wife Martha of Mainz, Germany, Richard Prinsen and his wife Joan of Pipestone, Minnesota, Judy Hartz of Antioch, California, Ed Prinsen and his wife Darla of Aurora, South Dakota, and Jacque Halbersma and her husband Doug of Pipestone, Minnesota; 25 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Marlin Nihart and his wife Ruth of Huron, South Dakota; and three sisters, Louise Mortland of Arco, Minnesota, Lucille Strom of Woodstock, Minnesota, and Maryln Wittrock of Pipestone, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Prinsen; her son, Arthur Prinsen; her daughter, Faye Aardema; her great-grandchildren, Evan Fluit and Maggie Grace Prinsen; her parents; three brothers, Earl Nihart, True Nihart, and Stacy Nihart; one sister, Irene Hind; and three sons-in-law, Lowell Rundell, Stan Aardema and Bob Hartz.