Ryk Prins

Ryk Prins, of Foremost, beloved husband of Sybil Prins and father of John (Jan), Aafke, and Elaine, went home to be with the Lord on October 4, 2022, at the age of 93 years.

Ryk was born on October 23, 1928, in Rinusmageest, Netherlands. He spent his early years helping on the Prins’ family farmstead, a formative time to nurture his passion for the farming industry. To follow said passion, at the young age of 25, Ryk first came to Canada on the Dutch emigrant ship the Groote Beer, docking in Halifax, before proceeding to Saskatoon for a farming apprenticeship. Several years later, he returned to the Netherlands and met his soon-to-be wife, Sybil. It was love at first sight, and as a result, a short courtship. After a just two-week holiday with Sybil, Ryk was provided the blessing from her father to marry his daughter. Sybil followed Ryk to Canada, and they were married on Victoria Island, BC, in 1961, eventually settling in Foremost, Alberta, and buying their first farm in 1965. During his time in Foremost, Ryk was actively involved in the community and Burdett Christian Reformed Church. The Prins family moved to Lethbridge in 1996, where Ryk continued to volunteer his time and energy with the Marantha Christian Reformed Church, as well as local food banks, helping fundraise for Bibles for Missions, and being a participating member of the Lethbridge Christian Men’s Choir. A pillar of strength for his family, and a shining beacon of faith in the Lord, we will always carry his memory in our hearts. 

Ryk is survived by Sybil, his wife of 61 years; children Jan Prins (Jana), Aafke (Troy) Loney, and Elaine (Bruce) Wind; 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and three sisters. 

A Viewing will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm, on Friday, October 14, 2022 at MARANATHA CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 260 McGill Blvd W, Lethbridge, Alberta with Pastor Jim Zondervan, officiating. To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua0ndvGcQvkahtBWQCTjAw

A private family Interment will be held prior in the Foremost Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to World Renew, 3475 Mainway, PO Box 5070 STN LCD 1, Burlington, ON, L7R 3Y8, Canada or donate online: https://worldrenew.ca, or the Mission Thrift Store, Attn: Tina/Ryk Prins donations, 3001 32nd St S, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, T1K 7B1.

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