Obituary

Bernard T. Meiners, 95 of Coon Rapids, died Monday, September 1, 2025 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids surrounded by his family.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham. The Celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm, assisted by Deacon Louis Meiners. Music will be by Jane Heithoff and the St. Joseph’s Choir. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Jill Klein. Gift Bearers will be Talina Haskins, Caitlin ThongVahn, and Amanda Meiners. Casket Bearers will be Brian Meiners, Ben Meiners, Aaron Meiners, Lucas Meiners, Jason Nees, Mike Nees, Ryan Schultes, Tyler Schultes, Jordan Schultes, Justin Meiners, and Trenton Meiners. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Dedham with military honors conducted by the Dedham American Legion.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a rosary at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to St. Joseph’s Church on Friday morning where additional visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for a later designation.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Bernard’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Rita Schettler, 100 of Breda, died early Monday morning, August 17, 2020 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m., Thursday, August 20, 2020 at St. Bernard’s’ Catholic Church in Breda. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Friedrichsen. Music will be by Marilyn Hundling. Lectors for the funeral mass will be Jordan Ludwig and Nikki Ludwig. Casket Bearers will be Rita’s grandchildren and their spouses Justin Ludwig, Ryan Ludwig, Brett Ludwig, Holly Schettler, John Herbolsheimer, Laura Herbolsheimer, Jordan Ludwig, and Nikki Ludwig. Burial will be in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Breda. A livestream of the funeral mass will be available at the time of the service on the Christ The King Catholic Community-St. Bernard’s Catholic Church Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/ChristTheKingCathollicCommunityBredaIowa/.
There will be no public visitation prior to the funeral mass. Those attending the funeral mass are required to wear a mask and are asked to abide by social distancing Co Vid 19 guidelines.
Those wishing to mail a memorial please direct to Rita Schettler Family, c/o Sharp Funeral Home, 226 W. 8th St. Carroll, IA 51401.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Breda and online condolences may be left for Rita’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born in Templeton, Iowa on June 3, 1920, Rita was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Ocken) Stevens. At a young age her family moved to Carroll where she graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul School. On March 28, 1951, Rita was united in marriage to Raymond Schettler at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Carroll. Following their marriage, the couple made their home near Breda where the couple farmed. Rita was a devoted homemaker, housewife, and loved tending to her garden. She often canned the fruits of her labors to share with her family. She was an avid cook and prepared fabulous meals for her family.
For many years, Ray and Rita, wintered in Weslaco, Texas where they volunteered for Mexican’s Children Refuge in Mexico. She also volunteered with New Hope Village in Carroll. She enjoyed her 500 and bridge card clubs and mom’s night out with ladies from the Breda Community. Rita was a lifelong member of St. Bernard’s Parish, Ladies Guild, and the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Rita is survived by her children: Laura Ludwig and husband Dale of Carroll and Ken Schettler and wife Mary Jo of Breda; her grandchildren John (Laura) Herbolsheimer, Justin Ludwig, Ryan (Nikki) Ludwig, Brett (Jordan) Ludwig and Holly Schettler; 4 great-grandchildren; as well as other extended relatives and many friends.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ray in 2017; her brothers: Henry Stevens and Edwin Stevens; and her sisters: Frances Taylor, Sr. Sylvia Stevens, Rosella Reynolds, Clara Hoekstra, Genevieve Murray, and Julia Tigges.

Church Service

Friday, September 5, 2025 10:30 a.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
420 3rd Ave, Dedham, IA 51440

Burial

Sharp Funeral Home ~ Breda, Iowa

102 S 5th St, Breda, IA, 51436

712-673-2828

[email protected]

Church Service

Thursday, September 4, 2025
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Sharp Funeral Home – Carroll
226 W. 8th St, Carroll, IA 50401

Friday, September 5, 2025
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
420 3rd Ave, Dedham, IA 51440

Obituary

Born March 31, 1930, he was the son of Bernard and Catherine (Rotert) Meiners. He grew up in the Dedham-Willey area and graduated from St. Mary’s School in Willey in 1943. He entered the U.S. Army July 8, 1953 and was stationed at Wurzburg, Germany. He was discharged on May 20, 1955.

Bernard married Dolores S. Halbur on January 24, 1956 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Halbur. After being married Bernard and Dolores lived 3 miles north of Dedham for two years. In 1958, they moved to the farm they purchased four miles east of Dedham. They were the parents of six children: Daniel, Dale, David, Cathleen, Christine, and Gary. Dolores passed away January 21, 1978.

On August 9, 1980, Bernard married Marita Eickman at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids. In May 2011, Bernard and Marita moved off the farm into the town of Coon Rapids, Iowa. They made their home there for 14 years. In April 2025, they moved to Parkview Assisted Living in Coon Rapids, Iowa.

During Bernard’s lifetime, he farmed, had a dairy operation, had a cow/calf operation, and raised hogs. He retired in 1992. He is a current member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Dedham, a member of the Dedham American Legion Post #20, and a member of the Manning VFW. In July 2001 Bernard, being a Korean Veteran, had the privilege to go on the Military Honor Flight to Washington DC. Just recently he was presented with a Quilt of Valor at Thomas Rest Haven, and at the age of 95 he still enjoyed attending the Legion meetings.

Bernard loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Holiday gatherings were a treat for him to get to see most of them at one time. In his spare time Bernard enjoyed gathering black walnuts in the fall and kept busy shelling the walnuts during the winter. Family and friends benefited from the fruits of his labor.

Bernard is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marita Meiners; his children, Dale (Mary) Meiners of Carroll, David (Jane) Meiners of Varna, IL, Cathleen (Larry) Nees of Coon Rapids, Christine (Mark) Schultes of Dedham, and Gary (Barb) Meiners of Manson; 19 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren with 2 more coming in October; a brother Anthony (Colleen) Meiners of Carroll; 2 sisters, Catherine Wittrock of Carroll and Marcella Naberhaus of Carroll; his sisters-in-laws, Margaret (Tom) Denker of Manning, and Pat (Joe) Goblirsch of Jesup. He is also survived by Marita’s children, Richard (Sandy) Eickman of Omaha, NE, James (Joni) Eickman of Dyer, TN, Dave (Joan) Eickman of Macungie, PA, Randy (Rose) Eickman of Coon Rapids, Nancy Eickman and Jim Springer of Warren, NJ, and Karen Heck of Delano, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Bernard was preceded in death by his first wife Dolores S. Meiners; a son Daniel J. Meiners; Marita’s son Bill Eickman; his parents Bernard and Catherine Meiners; his brothers John (Margaret) Meiners, Albert (Frances) Meiners; his brothers-in-law Clarence Wittrock, Norbert Naberhaus, Cletus (Emaline) Halbur, Norman (Inez) Halbur, Larry (JoAnn) Halbur; his brother-in-law, William (Marie) Halbur; Dolores’ parents, William and Frances Halbur, and stepmother-in-law, Josephine Halbur.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Bernard T. Meiners, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Tribute Wall

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Lit a candle in memory of Rita Schettler

Larry/Lynne Brincks – August 19 2020 at 12:14 PM

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Eddie (Stevens) King purchased the Full Of Love Bouquet for the family of Rita Schettler.

Eddie (Stevens) King – August 17 2020 at 3:03 PM

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John and Cindy Wilson purchased the Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum for the family of Rita Schettler.

John and Cindy Wilson – August 17 2020 at 8:26 PM

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Lavender Sympathy Box was purchased for the family of Rita Schettler.

Comment #31654257 – August 18 2020 at 10:13 AM

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Arrive in Style was purchased for the family of Rita Schettler.

Comment #31657264 – August 18 2020 at 4:48 PM

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