Kenneth Virgil Printz (1935 - 2023)

Born 8 Mar 1935 in Kersey, Weld, Colorado, United States

Ancestors

Son of Heinrich Printz and Dorothea (Brethauer) Printz

Husband of Mary Jane (Heinze) Printz — married 3 Feb 1956 in Eaton, Weld, Colorado, USA

Descendants

Died 26 Feb 2023 at age 87 in Greeley, Weld, Colorado, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Koreen Goodman [send private message]

Biography

Descendant of a Volga German

Kenneth Virgil Printz was born on 8 Mar 1935 in Kersey, Colorado to Henry Printz and Dorothy Brethauer.

Kenneth passed away at age 87 on 26 Feb 2023 in Greeley, Colorado.

Kenneth and Jane Printz

Obituary

Kenneth V. Printz, 87, of Greeley, CO, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023 at UC Health Greeley Hospital. He was born March 8, 1935 south of Kersey, CO to Henry and Dorothy (Brethauer) Printz.

Ken attended Auburn and Big Ben grade schools, then later Valley View in Kersey. Kenneth was a Welder by trade, but also farmed near Kersey and LaSalle. He would have probably farmed forever if he could have. He loved being out in the open planting and harvesting.

On February 3, 1956, Kenneth married Mary Jane Heinze. They lived in Colorado most of their 65 years together but did spend ten years in Cheyenne, WY before moving back to Colorado to be nearer to family and friends. Kenneth truly loved Wyoming and missed it until he passed away.

Kenneth was one of the founding members of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in LaSalle. As the church was being built, he helped to stain the wooden beams, assisted with putting in the sprinkler system, etc. He was very intelligent and was interested in history and current events. He enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and visiting the ocean and often shared fond memories of traveling with his brothers and their wives. Kenneth loved gardening and grew all types of vegetables and roses. He had a wonderful sense of humor. Kenneth was very tough in character and taught his children to have a strong work ethic.

Kenneth is survived by his sons, Thomas (Vicki) Printz, Wiggins, CO; Mark Printz, Greeley, CO; and Scott Printz, Middletown, OH; a daughter, Marcea Eckhardt, Iver Village, England, a brother, Carl Printz (Patricia), Fort Morgan, CO; four grandchildren, Matt Printz, Bozeman, MT; Mandy Watts (husband, Jade) Middletown, OH; Mikhaila Eckhardt (Neil) Haydenville, MA; and Andrew Eckhardt, Longmont, CO and five great-grandchildren, Layla and Harper Printz and Willow, Levi and Tate Watts.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and seven brothers.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 6, 2023 at Stoddard Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens and a reception to follow the interment at Stoddard Funeral Home.^[1]

Family Historical Interview with Kenneth Printz by Koreen Goodman

Kenneth Virgil Printz was born March 8, 1935, south of Kersey, Weld County, Colorado to parents Henry and Dorothy (Brethauer) Printz. He was baptized at St. Paul’s Congregational Church in Greeley. He was number seven of nine children, all males.

He and his siblings are descendants of Volga Germans who immigrated from Russia. His mother, Dorothea Bretthauer, was born in the Volga German colony of Hoffental now Zhdanovka, Saratov Oblast, Russia. His father, Heinrich Prinz, was born in Lauwe colony now Yablonovka, Saratov Oblast, Russia. Both colonies were founded on the Wiesenseite (meadow side) of the Volga River in the Samara Province. His mother immigrated to America in 1908 and his father departed Liverpool, England, two days after the Titanic sank in 1912. His parents married in 1922. Their Printz-Brethauer families answered the call for Germans from Russia to come work the beet fields in the areas of Colorado with sugar factories. The German-Russians represent one of the largest ethnic groups in Colorado, with many in the Weld and Larimer areas where the sugar factories created jobs for many, including their family.

Kenneth recalled the farms they rented and worked, including the house east of Latham Lake owned by George Pinch and the Oppdyke place. The family worked from sun up past sun down and the Printz boys learned work ethic. He crawled to thin beets and stopped long enough for lunch with the prepared food from his mother and water jugs they brought to the field. He and his brothers carried coal buckets, fed chickens, gathered eggs, and worked the fields. He helped his father with milking cows, and they sold the milk, eventually gaining a good Holstein herd. Ken attended Auburn and Big Ben grade schools, then later Valley View in Kersey. He was only allowed to achieve ninth grade because his family needed him to work the farm. He and his brothers were a major part of the family’s farming success. Kenneth remembers the 39’ Chevy which was brand new and in 1941, his father’s first tractor, the one he drove at age seven.

Kenneth loved his mother’s excellent cooking and baking. One of his favorites was blackberry Maltaschen and Kartoffel und Glace. He later enjoyed the local Greeley krautbierocks (cabbage pockets) reminiscent of his mother Dorothy, who made them every other Saturday. These lunch pockets were handy for field work and the boys loved them, along with Dorothy's rye bread. He remembered his mother spending hours making homemade noodles on a wooden block cutting them thin and about eight-inches long, all for chicken noodle soup. Their mother never let anyone go hungry, including the German POWs who came to help them in the fields. Although they were not to feed them, her grebbel was shared with them, and soon even the guards were eating her food.

The family made their own soap with lye and grew up with outhouses and “newspaper/catalogs” as their tissue. Saturday late afternoon and evening the family would go for groceries in town and most men would end up at the pool hall enjoying a little town news. The only money he and his brothers received was a weekly ten cents for their work. Ken and his brothers were not supposed to go to the movies, but the draw of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans was too enticing. The cost was nine cents at the Kiva or Park movie theatres in downtown Greeley. Kenneth also enjoyed Lash LaRue, a popular western movie star during the 40s. It was a bonus week when their Grandpa Michael Printz would sometimes give the boys nickels during their weekly Saturday town/grocery time.

Ken was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Greeley. Sunday was always reserved for church and visitations to family. Sunday visits connected the families and gave their children time to play with cousins. Along with the Saturday town fellowship, the Brethauer-Printz families would meet every Fourth of July at the Eastside Park.

If there is a word to describe Kenneth, it is resilient. At 18 months old, he fell into hot coal ashes giving him intensive burns requiring six weeks care in the Children’s Hospital in Denver. His hand grew crooked, so he endured one surgery, but did not have the second suggested surgery.

At age 16, he was helping his brother Clarence pick corn in his field east of Latham Lake. Kenny was running the tractor and picker and went to unplug some corn when his gloves and coverall sleeve got caught in the shucking bed. It had mangled his arm and bone. As he stood alone for one hour with his arm caught, a nearby driver on the road saw him waving with the other hand. The driver stopped and Kenny asked if he had a pocket knife. In true grit form, Kenny took his knife and cut off the remainder of his arm, “because I wanted out of there!” Lloyd Carney, a well-known builder in Weld County, was his Good Samaritan. Lloyd took him to the hospital, and when staff questioned how the care would be paid for, Lloyd signed that he would pay the bill himself.

The ever-buoyant young man was back to hauling beet tops after a total recovery of five days after the accident. Clarence, his brother and mentor, openly cried for his brother and friend as he buried the remaining arm in canvas under a tree on the farm. The accident required Kenneth to relearn to write with his non-dominant hand. One year after the accident, they did another surgery to cut off some bone. Due to his age, the bones were growing, and were coming out of his skin. He was given an artificial arm which was uncomfortable and clumsy, so it remains hanging in his garage as part of his “story”.

He and his brothers made their own “baseball team” when they had time to play ball and enjoyed a swim in the ditch. The older brothers slept in the bunkhouse because the small two-bedroom farmhouse did not accommodate everyone for sleeping. They rather enjoyed their “apartment” as it had a kitchen cabinet, radio and a bed. The elder brothers got into smoking cigarettes, but they realized how expensive the habit became. He later quit smoking, replacing them with sunflower seeds. He visited the old place, missing the big red barn and bunk house, but the farm house still stands, although remodeled. Kenneth worked at the Sugar Beet factory for one winter. He and brother Clarence butchered their farm meat and sold the hides to Winograd’s in Greeley who dried and shipped leather. Although the money for the hides was little, the concept of using all of the animal was part of their upbringing.

Kenneth married Mary Jane Heinze on February 3, 1956 at Eaton Lutheran Church in Eaton, Colorado. They had met on a blind date at the show set up by Roland “Scotty” Reinick. Ken had known Janie's brother Eddie. Ken and Jane had four children: Thomas, Mark, Scott, and Marcea.

About 1958, he worked briefly as a janitor for Arlington School for two and a half years. Kenneth started farming in the La Salle/Gill/Kersey areas in the early 60's. His oldest son, Tom graduated from Gilcrest, and the other children attended La Salle schools. Son Tom recalls the 65’ Flood near Kersey and Kuner which created a river across the road from their home. It took a while to get to town to get groceries after the flood waters abated. Hail and bad weather prevailed on his crop of beets, corn, and hay, and the lack of water returned little crop and money. He sold out in 1969 and worked for Reuben Flot on his farm where they rented. His wife Jane did the books for the “Nifty Café” owned by Rueben and Marie Flot. They lived in an old farm house, the Pollack Place, which had a coal stove, indoor plumbing, but came with rattle snakes which lazed in the sun on the porch. No one was ever bit and the kids collected the rattles in jars.

He did construction welding on storage tanks used for water and molasses which remain on Highway 14 north of Windsor, Colorado. Kenneth also worked in Minatare, Nebraska welding tanks used for beet syrup storage. He went to work in the Arch Mineral Mines in Wyoming, first as a truck driver and then a welder. The hours were long, and Kenneth commuted back and forth to their home for two and half years until the mine closed. He then became a certified welder and bought a truck, with 20 years of welding success. His wife, Jane, had worked at a furniture store as a secretary and then for the University of Northern Colorado as program assistant, before retiring after 28 years.

In 2002, Ken and Jane moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming. He said he enjoyed the blue sky and clean air. They moved back to the Greeley area in 2014 to be closer to family and friends.

Kenny and Janie had their 65th wedding anniversary one day prior to Janie’s passing in 2021. Kenny said they had a “lot of fun” together even through all the tough times including when his work required him to be on the road. They enjoyed Dutch hops and waltzing together. In later years, they enjoyed time with their children, especially doting on grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His beautiful roses and green manicured grass at their home reflect his upbringing of farming and the love of gardening his mother handed down. When asked if he had a favorite rose or memory, he replies, “All of em’…its all been good.”

Kenneth Printz had tenacity to keep going, no matter the circumstance and hurdle of health. In his last days, he shared with family that he would look at Jane's picture telling her it won't be long to see her again.

Children

• Thomas David Printz - Living
• Mark Timothy Printz - Living
• Scott Anthony Printz - Living
• Marcea Yvonne Printz - Living

Census

• 1940 U.S. Census - Weld, Colorado

1940 U.S. Census Record - Printz, Weld, CO

DNA

• Paternal and Maternal relationship is confirmed by an AncestryDNA test match between Kenneth Printz and his brother Carl Printz. Their most-recent common ancestors are their parents, Henry Prinz (Printz) and Dorothea Brethauer Printz. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA: Immediate Family, based on sharing 2,647 cM across 77 DNA segments; Confidence: Extremely High. Actual: Brothers.

• Maternal relationship is confirmed by an AncestryDNA test match between Kenneth Printz and niece Koreen Goodman, daughter to brother Carl Michael Printz. Their most-recent common ancestors are parents/grandparents, Henry Prinz (Printz) and Dorothea Brethauer Printz. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA: Close Family, based on sharing 1,607 cM across 71 DNA segments; Confidence: Extremely High. Actual: Uncle-Niece.

• Maternal relationship is confirmed by an AncestryDNA test match between Kenneth Printz and his second cousin once removed I.C.. MRCA are their second-great grandparents, Heinrich Wilhelm Steinhauer and Anna Maria Wirth. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA: 2nd Cousins, based on sharing 121 cM across 5 segments.

Sources

1. ↑ Online Obituary-Stoddard Greeley CO

• First-hand information Koreen Goodman. Personal recollection, 2018. Second-hand information through several phone interviews with Kenneth Printz, 2018-2023 with Koreen Goodman, niece to Kenneth Virgil Printz.

• Printz, Dorothy. Printz Family Bible, Handwritten Birthdates/Deathdates of Dorothy's children, Personal heirloom in possession of Kenneth Printz; copy in possession of Koreen Goodman.

• Listed as son in his mother's obituary; "United States, Obituaries, American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1899-2012," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVS3-8R57 : 17 March 2018), Kenneth Printz in entry for Dorothy Brethauer Printz, 17 Dec 1992; citing Obituary, in "Greeley Tribune"; American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Lincoln, Nebraska.

• Wife's Obituary: Obituary Janie Printz

• "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRDD-Z7C : 30 October 2018), Henry Printz, Election Precinct 10, Weld, Colorado, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 62-20, sheet 5A, line 26, family 91, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 481.

• United States Census 1950: Source Citation United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Kersey, Weld, Colorado; Roll: 2214; Sheet Number: 18; Enumeration District: 62-26 Source Information Ancestry.com. 1950 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022. Original data: Department of Commerce. Bureau of the Census. 1913-1/1/1972. Population Schedules for the 1950 Census, 1950 - 1950. Washington, DC: National Archives at Washington, DC. Name: Kenneth V Printz Age: 15 Birth Date: abt 1935 Gender: Male Race: White Birth Place: Colorado Marital Status: Never Married (Single) Relation to Head of House: Son Residence Date: 1950 Home in 1950: Kersey, Weld, Colorado, USA Dwelling Number: 185 Farm: Yes Occupation Category: Other

• Newspapers.com; Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, Colorado, USA; 24 Dec 1941; Wednesday, Page 12; https://www.newspapers.com/image/25002004/?terms=kenneth%2Bprintz; "Program Well Attended Friday" Kenneth Printz listed in Auburn School Christmas Program; accessed by Koreen Goodman 8 Mar 2019.

• Newspapers.com; Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, Colorado, USA; 7 Dec 1951; Saturday, Page 10; https://www.newspapers.com/image/25104729/?terms=kenneth%2Bprintz; "Admitted to Hospital, Friday, December 7, 1951-Kenneth Printz, Kersey"; accessed by Koreen Goodman 8 Mar 2019.

• Newspapers.com; Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, Colorado, USA; 3 Feb 1956; Friday, Page 14; https://www.newspapers.com/image/24971734/?terms=kenneth%2Bprintz; "Marriage License - Kenneth Virgil Printz and Mary Jane Heinze, both of Greeley"; accessed by Koreen Goodman 8 Mar 2019.

• Newspapers.com; Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, Colorado, USA; 25 Aug 1958; Monday, Page 6; https://www.newspapers.com/image/25067215/?terms=kenneth%2Bprintz; 25 Aug 1958 - Arlington School, Head Custodian: Ronald Dodge, Assistant Custodian: Kenneth Printz; accessed by Koreen Goodman 8 Mar 2019.

• Newspapers.com; Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, Colorado, USA; 19 Dec 1969; Friday, Page 22; https://www.newspapers.com/image/25142151/?terms=kenneth%2Bprintz; "Kenneth Printz - Farm Equipment Auction-4 mi south of LaSalle"; accessed by Koreen Goodman 8 Mar 2019.