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.

Paul Denis Pawletzki, 78 of Carroll, Iowa passed away on April, 17, 2020 in Des Moines Iowa.

A private family funeral service will be held at Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Officiating will be Fr. Tim Friedrichsen. Honorary Casket Bearers will be: Allison Pawletzki, Kenadie Wolterman, Kaylie Wolterman, and Lauren Pawletzki. Casket Bearers will be: Shawn Higgins, Taylor Higgins, Tanner Higgins, Rodney Hoffman, Loren Boyce, and Kenny Snyder. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery in Maple River with military honors conducted by the Arcadia American Legion.

A Live Stream Broadcast and recording of Paul’s service can be found by visiting the Sharp Funeral Home Carroll, Iowa YouTube Channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqd2eeRJk5RTdEJoEooUoAQ. An Icon on that page will be available by 10:55 a.m. Wednesday.

Those wishing to mail their memorial may direct it to: Paul Pawletzki Memorial c/o Sharp Funeral Home, 226 W. 8th Street, Carroll, IA 51401.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Pauls’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com. The family intends to have a larger memorial service and reception for additional friends to celebrate Paul’s life after the state’s gathering restrictions have been rescinded.

Paul was born in Carroll Iowa at St Anthony Hospital to Anthony and Mary (Barry) Pawletzki on August 29, 1941. He attended school in Carroll graduating from Kuemper in 1959. After graduating Paul enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Roswell, New Mexico. That is where Paul’s passion for airplanes started. During his time in the military Paul formed lasting friendships with Joe Carver, Bob Smuszkiewitz, Larry Newquiest and several other great men who he continued friendships up till death.

Paul married the love of his life Jean (Snyder) Pawletzki on February 8, 1964 at St. Francis Church in Maple River. After they were united in marriage Paul and Jean moved to the farm in which Paul had lived on since he was 7 years old near Maple River. This is where Paul and Jean made their home and welcomed 4 children: Bill, Sheila, Steve and Beverly. In the upcoming years Paul farmed and milked cows. Many memories were formed on the farm and cherish those of milking cows and riding on the tractor with Dad. Paul continued his passion for airplanes in particular model airplanes. Many hours were spent in his airplane room preparing for Sunday night flying with the airplane guys. Paul loved this time with the guys and many Sundays sharing it with his family, but never letting us fly the airplanes because we could only look but never touch!

Paul loved socializing and knew someone wherever he went. He went on to work at S&S store in Carroll, The Manor and St. Anthony Hospital where he retired from in. After retiring Paul drove bus for Western Iowa Transit. His gift to gab, his laugh, and endless jokes made a lasting impression on many and will be remembered always.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Mary (Barry) Pawletzki and parents- in-law, Norbert and Delores (Imming) Snyder.

Paul is survived by his wife Jean Pawletzki of Carroll; his sister Betty (Dean) Friedrichsen of York, NE; his children: William (Beth) Pawletzki of Corpus Christi, TX, Sheila (Bill) Higgins of Arcadia, Steve (Stacie) Pawletzki of Scottsdale, AZ and Beverly Wolterman of Westside; his grandchildren: Shawn (Ellie) Higgins, Taylor Higgins (friend Cassie) and Tanner Higgins. Lauren and Allison Pawletzki. Kenadie and Kaylie Wolterman. Great Grandchildren: Emery Higgins and Avery Higgins. Several In-laws, Nieces, nephews and friends.

The Family of Paul wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Nurse’s and staff at Accura Nursing Home in Carroll for making our dad part of you family.

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 ~ Carroll, Iowa

226 W. 8th St., Carroll, IA, 51401

712-792-4301

[email protected]

https://www.sharpfuneral.com

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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Even though Paul ALWAYS gave me a hard time, he was such a good guy. Keeping you and the family, in thought and prayer

Peg Scheidt – April 18 2020 at 10:21 PM

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Paul was a member of our Class of 1959 Kuemper High school ! He was such a great friend to everyone . Our sympathy to his family .

Brev Kanne – April 20 2020 at 6:02 PM

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Bev and family, Sorry for your loss. Great memories from childhood at your place. Thinking of you during this difficult time. Jackie (Beyerink) Rahe

Jackie Rahe – April 20 2020 at 8:39 PM

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There are many of us that spent every Sunday and Tuesday night together flying models. One event comes to mind when Paul flew so high that all of us heard," where did it go...it was never seen again. I spent half my life with Paul on the flying field and another good share of it at the Lidderdale Country Store having a beer and eating chicken beside him.We, fellow flyers will miss you....Bob Sturm....member of the Tri- County modelers.

Bob Sturm – April 21 2020 at 6:49 AM

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I want to thank you for the opportunity to share with you my friendship with Paul. We met in the service and become close friends. He was as close to me as a brother, and I will miss him greatly. I had just talked to Paul the week before, and he seemed to be in good spirits. Judy and I were both shocked to hear of his passing. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. And we are glad they will be live streaming his services, since with this "staying in place" we can nor be there in person.

Larry and Judy Carver – April 21 2020 at 8:54 PM

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