Beatrice A. Behrens

10/05/1917 –

06/25/2012

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.

Beatrice Behrens, age 94 of Carroll, died Monday, June 25, 2012, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 P.M. Friday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Father Timothy Schott. Lector will be a grandson, Dan Behrens. Gift Bearers will be daughters, Kathy Grote, Aggie Kitt, and Nancy Reiling. Mass Servers will be great grandchildren, Kara, Katlyn, and Jacob Cowlham. Music will be by pianist Marcy Anderson and the St. Lawrence Choir. Communion Ministers will be Earl Wittrock, Dave Wittrock, and Dan Behrens. Casket Bearers will be her sons, Clete Behrens, Jerry Behrens, Gary Behrens, Wayne Behrens, Daryl Behrens, John E. Behrens, and Ardan Behrens. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 3:30 P.M. Thursday. A rosary will be prayed at 4 P.M. Thursday by the Templeton Catholic Daughters of America followed by a Christian wake service at 6 P.M. Thursday by St. Lawrence Parish. Visitation will resume at noon Friday at St. Lawrence Church until the time of the funeral mass. Online condolences may be left for Beatrice’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Beatrice was born on October 5, 1917, at Halbur, Iowa, the daughter of August and Ella Mary (Drees) Wittrock. She spent her younger years in the Halbur community and graduated from St. Augustine School. Following her formal education she worked for the Sievers Boarding House in Carroll for three years. Beatrice and John A. Behrens were united in marriage on May 7, 1940, at St. Augustine Church in Halbur. The couple farmed south of Roselle until 1983 when they retired and moved to Carroll. Beatrice was a farmer’s wife and a stay at home Mom while raising their ten children which was a role she cherished and loved. She was a member of St. Lawrence Parish, Parish Ladies Guild, Honorary Member of the Holy Angels Altar Society, and 60 year member of the Templeton Catholic Daughters of America. Beatrice enjoyed her family, gardening, reading, sewing, volunteering for her church and school, playing cards, and traveling, especially the Wind Star trips to Branson and the New Horizons Club.
Beatrice is survived by her husband of 72 years John A. Behrens of Carroll; seven sons, Clete Behrens of Carroll, Jerry (June) Behrens of Denison, Gary (Sue) Behrens of Lincoln, Nebr., Wayne Behrens of Denison, Daryl (Lynne) Behrens of Muscatine, John E. (Lois) Behrens of Roselle, and Ardan (Brenda) Behrens of Maquoketa; three daughters, Kathy (Walt) Grote of Wall Lake, Aggie (Jim) Kitt of Dedham, and Nancy (Paul) Reiling of Lake View; 33 grandchildren; 60 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; one sister, Mildred Sturm of Lake View; two brothers, Walter (LaVerne) Wittrock of Halbur and Earl (Vernell) Wittrock of Carroll; and a sister-in-law, Darlene Wittrock of Halbur.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, John W. Behrens; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Behrens; sisters, Freda Wittrock, Bertilla Rohe, and Laura Joens; brothers, Victor Wittrock and P.F.C. Marvin Wittrock; brothers-in-law, Norbert Rohe, Lester Joens, and Ed Sturm; and parents-in-law, John and Elizabeth Behrens.

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

We're deeply sorry for your loss and we prayer for strength and comfort in the days to come. May we celebrate Beatrice's eternal life with our Lord! With love, Dave & Kim Burdakin

Dave & Kim Burdakin – June 27 2012 at 3:08 PM

To Ardie Behrens & families: Sorry to hear about your mother passing away. It sounds like she had a nice, full life. With your large family, I'm sure there are plenty of wonderful memories to share and treasure. Take Care. With Sincere Sympathy, Cheryl Petersen (Secretary at the Grain Warehouse Bureau, IA Dept. Agri.)

Cheryl Petersen – June 27 2012 at 11:54 AM

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