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.

Deb Nieland, 62, of Breda, earned her angel wings after a hard-fought battle with cancer on Friday, January 20, 2023.

Deb’s life will be celebrated with a Mass of the Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Breda. The Celebrant will be Fr. Terry Roder. Concelebrant and homilist will be Fr. Gary Snyder. Music will be by Marilyn Hundling and the parish choir. Lector for the mass will be niece, Nicole Findlay. Gift Bearers will be Deb’s grandkids: Tessa, Molly, Andi, Austin, and Alex. Eucharistic Ministers will be Lori and Randy Snyder. Casket Bearers will be Deb’s nephews: Jeff Boeckman, David Boeckman, Matt Brincks, Andy Boeckman, Ben Boeckman, and Blake Bishop. Burial will be in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Breda.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Breda with a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. There will be no visitation prior to the Funeral mass on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for the St. Anthony Cancer Center. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Breda and online condolences may be left for Deb’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Deb was born on December 20, 1960, to Duane ‘Buck’ and Madonna (Snyder) Boeckman. She grew up in Breda, attending St. Bernard’s Catholic School, graduating with the class of 1979. During this time she met Kevin ‘Herm’ Nieland. They were married on October 11, 1980 at St. Bernard’s Church in Breda. Deb and Herm made their home in Breda for the next 42 years. This is where they welcomed their 2 children, Tara and Christopher ‘Boze’.

When Deb wasn’t working the variety of different jobs she held throughout her life, you’d find her out and about socializing with her family and friends. No matter what was going on in life, she always put others first and made sure everyone was taken care of. While Deb loved to be busy, she’d drop everything to do the job she cherished the most- being grandma Debbie to Tessa Kay, Molly Rose, Andi Lee, Austin John, and Alex Christopher. They were the loves of her life.

Left to cherish the beloved memories of Deb are her husband, Kevin “Herm” Nieland; children Tara (Chad) Wilcox and Christopher (Amber) Nieland; grandchildren Tessa, Molly, Andi, Austin, and Alex, siblings Cheryl (Dean) Stork, Carlene (Doug) Brincks, Dean (Sheila) Boeckman, Daryl (Kris) Boeckman; father-in-law Eugene Nieland; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Jeanne Boeckman, Dan (Karen) Nieland, Jan (Russ) Stork, Lori (Randy) Snyder, Mary Jo (Frank) Wellenstein, Amy (Kevin) Schreck, Kevin White, and Joni (Mike) Klusman; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many many friends.

Deb is proceeded in death by her parents, brother Larry ‘Fred’ Boeckman, mother-in-law Connie Nieland, brother-in-law Steve Nieland, sister-in-law Jill White, niece Melissa Stork, and nephew Mark Banovic.

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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Our deepest sympathies to the Boeckman/Nieland families. Praying for you all during the days ahead. Diane and Wong Olson

Diane Olson – January 21 2023 at 6:16 PM

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Steve and Lisa Hausman purchased the Beautiful in Blue for the family of Deb Nieland.

Steve and Lisa Hausman – January 24 2023 at 10:48 AM

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Basket Full of Wishes was purchased for the family of Deb Nieland.

Comment #40795810 – January 23 2023 at 4:25 PM

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Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Deb Nieland.

Comment #40795172 – January 23 2023 at 2:47 PM

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Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Prayers for comfort during this difficult time. Jeff and Patrice Claiborne

Patrice Claiborne – January 24 2023 at 4:32 PM

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