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.

Arlene Behrens, age 91 of Carroll, died on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, at St. John Paul II Parish – Holy Spirit Church. The Celebrant will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Music will be provided by Kate Cuddy and Michaela Behrens. Lector for the service will be Matthew Behrens. Gift bearers for the service will be Tracie Lorenzen, Kristy Behrens, Stephanie Pauly, Michaela Behrens, and Kaitlyn Gipple. Eucharistic Minister for the service will be Jayne Pietig. Casket bearers for the service are Ryan Eischeid, Michael Behrens, Cole Feldman, Marc Behrens, Alex Eischeid, Matthew Behrens, Eric Feldman, Mitchell Behrens, T.J. Feldman, Grant Olberding, and Carter Olberding. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.

A visitation will be held on Saturday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

A live-stream of the funeral mass is available at the following link: https://youtu.be/gtxDCemSrks

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a designation that will be decided at a later date.

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

Arlene was born on March 6, 1930 in Willey, Iowa, the daughter of John and Rose (Achatz) Hansman. She attended school in Willey.

On April 25, 1950, Arlene was united in marriage to Donald Behrens at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willey with Fr. H.J. Drees officiating. The couple made their home southwest of Roselle. Throughout her life, Arlene was an extremely hard worker with a great work ethic, starting at a young age when her father passed away. Arlene cherished her role as a wife of a farmer. She kept a beautiful home, but could also be found assisting in farm duties in whatever capacity was needed. The couple moved to Carroll in 1986.

Arlene was a longtime member of Holy Spirit Church, the Ladies Guild, and a 60+ year member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She enjoyed volunteering at the blood bank, served on the HTR school board for a few years, and was a past president of the St. Augustine Ladies Guild. Arlene loved playing cards and golfing. Most of all, Arlene loved to spend time with her family. Arlene was a strong woman of faith, a loving, selfless wife, mother and grandmother. Her family is left to cherish memories of her quick wit and infectious laugh. She will be remembered for her ability to find the best in any situation and putting others first.

Left to celebrate Arlene’s life are her children: Duane (Deb) Behrens of Omaha, Diane Eischeid of West Des Moines, Vern (Becky) Behrens of Carroll, Rhonda (Tom) Feldman of Carroll and Kathy (Keith) Olberding of Granger; 16 grandchildren: Tracie (Jason) Lorenzen, Ryan (Brooke) Eischeid, Kristy Behrens, Michael (Julie) Behrens, Stephanie (Nick) Pauly, Cole Feldman, Marc (Angela) Behrens, Alex (Christina Corso) Eischeid, Michaela Behrens, Matthew Behrens, Eric Feldman, Kaitlyn (Chris) Gipple, Mitchell Behrens, T.J. Feldman, Grant Olberding and Carter Olberding; 17 great grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Behrens of Carroll and sister-in-law, Virgene Behrens of Carroll, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, parents: John and Rose Hansman; her parents-in-law: Mayme and Henry Behrens; her son-in-law, Vern Eischeid, her daughter-in-law, Jana Behrens; her siblings: Melvin (Florence) Hansman, Marcella (George) Grossman, Edward (Corrine) Hansman, Robert (Bette) Hansman, Phyllis (Peter) Sibenaller and in infancy, Leroy Hansman; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Harry (Dorothy) Behrens, Virgil (Louise) Behrens, James Behrens, Marie (Ed) Siepker, Florine (Harold) Eich, Rita (Erwin) Vonnahme. and Robert Behrens in infancy.

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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Arlene was a very special Lady. We have many memories as a neighbor and friend. She was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand. We played many cards with Arlene and Don and our group had a lot of fun together. We will always remember our trip to Las Vegas many years ago. Prayers and Sympathy, Bob and Audrey Behrens

Audrey Behrens – July 29 2021 at 1:57 PM

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Arlene will be greatly missed in our neighborhood. She and Don were wonderful ‘next door neighbors’ for nearly 29 years. I loved our visits and listening to her laughter. Our deepest sympathy to all of her family 🙏🙏

Fern & Vern Langbein – July 30 2021 at 8:06 PM

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rest in peace aunt arlene, so many fond memories with our families...we will remember you well..dr. bob and janice and the entire erwin and rita family

dr. bob and janice – July 31 2021 at 8:46 AM

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Prayers and sympathy to the entire Behrens family. Thinking of you all~

Chris & Pam (Stitz) Kitt Family – August 01 2021 at 3:08 PM

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Prayers and sympathy to Diane, Vern, Rhonda and the entire Behrens families. Thinking of you.

Sandy & Kev – August 02 2021 at 8:53 PM

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