Henry "Heine" H. Prien

Henry H. “Heine” Prien, age 95 of Tripp, SD died on his birthday, Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society – Scotland. Heine will be buried on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at Gracehill Cemetery in Tripp, SD. There will be a celebration of life service at a later date.
Henry Herman Prien was born on Wednesday, April 8, 1925 to Henry C. & Elsa (Blume) Prien in Parkston, South Dakota. He was the seventh of ten children. He was baptized on May 17, 1925 by Rev. Lambertus. His sponsors were Mr. & Mrs. Henry Stahl and Mr. & Mrs. Herman Blume. He was confirmed on April 2, 1939 by Rev. Lambertus at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston. He graduated from Parkston High School in 1942.
Heine served in the US Army in World War II for 30 months, spending two years in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in February of 1946. One of his favorite stories to tell was how he drove MacArthur’s car off the ship when he arrived in the Philippines.
Heine and Rose (Wright) Prien were married on October 15, 1946 at Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston by Rev. Martin Amelung. They met at a dance and continued to do so throughout their lives, dancing together often until Heine was nearly 90. Together they had five children: Cheryl, Dick, Karen “Pinky”, Yvonne and Henry.
In January of 1947, Heine and Rosie moved to Armour where Heine worked in a blacksmith shop. In July of 1947, they moved to Tripp where Heine ran the Charles Burchardt Blacksmith Shop for a short time. In September of 1947, they bought the old Champlin Gas Station across from the fair grounds. This was a 20’x40’ wood building and became Heine Prien’s Blacksmith and Welding Shop. The building burned in 1949. At that time, they built the cement block building, where Heine continued to work through the fall of 2015. He often liked to share that he was the oldest originally owned business in Tripp still operating. Besides blacksmithing, Heine also bought and sold old iron. For many, many years, his circus elephant truck was a landmark. He welded thousands of plow lays and just about anything you brought him that was broken.
Heine was a member of the Jelkin-Harms Post #142 for 75 years, having served in every position except Treasurer. He held the office of Chaplain for over 40 years, Roll Call for over 45 years, Post Commander, Adjunct, Historian and Sergeant-at-Arms. An autumn tradition of many, many years, Heine & Rosie, along with Clarence & Luella Lehr, visited the Tripp-Delmont first grade class, teaching about Veteran’s Day, flag etiquette and flag folding.
Heine was also a member of the Tripp Volunteer Fire Department for 33 years and a member of First American Lutheran Church since July 11, 1948. During his years as congregation member, he sang in the Men’s Choir and served on the church council and the 1992 Building Committee.
Heine was a man with a desire for a good auction (“Heine, will you take that for $1?”) or a pinochle game, a loving husband, father, grandfather. He had strong hands and a warm heart. He loved his 3:30pm wine with pickled herring, anything Mother cooked and was proud to lead the prayer at the Blume Reunion every summer. He could tell a good story slower than anyone. He had an endless supply of love for his friends, family and Jesus.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 73 years, Rose; children Cheryl (John) Hirsch of Sioux Falls; Dick (Sharon) Prien of Chugiak, Alaska; Karen (Roger) Huether of Tripp; Yvonne (Chris) Gall of Tripp and Henry (Anita) Prien of Fargo, ND; one brother, LeRoy (Sherrie) Prien of Nampa, Idaho and 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his five sisters: Marie Oberembt, Ella Thompson, Martha Prien (in infancy), Eda Mengenhausen and Erna Dangel; three brothers: William, John and Robert; and granddaughter, Teresa Huether.
The entire Prien family wishes to thank each and every worker at Good Samaritan Society-Tripp, Good Samaritan Society-Scotland and AseraCare Hospice for your compassion, your kind words, your care of Heine. Whether it was in the beginning or end of his stay, in the dining room, in the laundry room or in his room, we cannot express our appreciation enough. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness ..." Ruth 1:8