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.

Alice Schmitz, 89, of Arcadia, died Sunday, December 14, 2014, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Arcadia. The Celebrant will be Fr. Gary Snyder. Con-Celebrant will be Fr. Richard Remmes. Mass servers will be Ethan Menning, and Collin Johnson. Music will be by Darlene Leiting, and the St. John Choir. Lectors will be Tom Lenz and Ann Menning. Gift Bearers will be Amy Greene, Megan Grace, Molly Ebbers, and Mindy Giraldo. Eucharistic Ministers will be Jeff Lenz, Peg Scheidt and Ann Menning. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Alice’s Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. Casket Bearers will be Jeff Lenz, Tom Lenz, Nick Lenz, Ryan Grace, Michael Schmitz, Mark Schmitz, Matthew Schmitz, Christian Schmitz, and Andrew Schmitz. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Arcadia. The Arcadia American Legion Auxiliary, St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary, and the St. John Christian Mothers will form an honor guard for the funeral mass.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, where there will be a Christian Mothers Rosary prayed at 5 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Alice’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Born on July 12, 1925, in Arcadia, Alice Mary was the daughter of John and Leona (Otto) Vonnahme. She grew up in the Arcadia community, where she attended St. John’s School in Arcadia, and later St. Angela’s Academy in Carroll. On July 26, 1944, she was united in marriage to Leo J. Schmitz at St. John Catholic Church in Arcadia, with Fr. Stork Officiating. The couple made their home in Arcadia where Alice was a devoted homemaker, and mother. Alice enjoyed baking, volunteering, playing cards, and gardening. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Alice was a member of Arcadia American Legion Auxiliary, St. John’s Christian Mothers, St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary, 50 year Woodman of the World Member, and lifelong member of St. John Parish.

Left to celebrate Alice’s life are her daughters: Donna Rae Lenz of Carroll, and Beth Ann Grace, and her husband Jim of Omaha, NE.; her daughter-in-law, Pam Schmitz of Omaha, NE; 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; her siblings: Gladys Steinkamp of Arcadia, Vera Booth of Des Moines, and Lyle (Lorraine) Vonnahme of Carroll; her sister-in-laws: Norma Vonnahme of Arcadia, Norma Berger of Carroll, and Florence Schmitz of Carroll; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leo J. Schmitz, two sons: Daniel Schmitz and David Schmitz, a son-in-law Larry Lenz, and her brothers: Leon, Duane, and Leroy Vonnahme.

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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Alice was a delightful lady that volunteered faithfully at the Atrium Desk at St Anthony Regional Hospital. I have missed your smiling face over the last few weeks and now God gets the pleasure of your company! If you are sitting at the front gate with St. Peter, just smile, Alice, and folks will know they are home. Kas Clausen

Kas Clausen – December 15 2014 at 6:51 AM

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Our deepest sympathy to Donna Rae, Beth, Pam, Ann and families. Alice was a WONDERFUL aunt! She is at peace now and will be greatly missed!

Bruce & Mae Vonnahme – December 15 2014 at 12:10 PM

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Let It Snow was purchased for the family of Alice Schmitz.

Comment #13927324 – December 16 2014 at 9:04 AM

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Sweet Sincerity was purchased for the family of Alice Schmitz.

Comment #13928009 – December 16 2014 at 10:43 AM

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Sweetest Sunrise Bouquet was purchased for the family of Alice Schmitz.

Comment #13928055 – December 16 2014 at 10:51 AM

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