Carla Jo James

01/11/1963 –

04/07/2020

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.

Carla Jo James, age 57, of Glidden unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at her home in Glidden.

A Private Family Funeral Service will be held at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll on Monday, April 13, 2020. Fr. Patrick Behm of St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll will preside. Casket Bearers will be Carla’s family. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Dedham.

A Live Stream Broadcast and recording of Carla’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. Monday.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Carla James Memorial Fund to be used towards later memorial designations. Those wishing to mail their memorial may direct it to: Carla James 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 Carla’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Carla Jo, the daughter of Charles and Cleo (Dirkx) Wiskus was born January 11, 1963 at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, Iowa. Carla lived on her parent’s farm Southeast of Dedham until 1973 then moved with her family to a farm Northeast of Exira. Carla graduated from Exira High School in 1981. She then graduated from DMACC and Iowa Western Community Colleges where she majored in special needs children and sign language. Her career included over 25 years of special education and sign language at Humboldt, Carroll, and Glidden Community School Districts. She spent her entire life working with children with special needs of some degree. She had a big heart and always loved each child she helped.

She married David James on September 27, 1991. To this union two children were born: Christopher and Danika Jo. She loved watching her son in his sporting activities, She was proud of every one of his accomplishments. She loved her sports, especially football, following the Carroll Tigers, Iowa Hawkeyes, The Dallas Cowboys, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Carla also loved her family and friends. She loved her nieces and nephews like her own, always to spoil them with her exceptional baked goods. (The favorite was always her chocolate chip cookies) She always was there to lend a helping hand, never to ask for anything in return. Carla was a member of St. John Paul II Parish- Holy Spirit in Carroll.

Carla is survived by her husband David James of Glidden; their son: Christopher James of Ames; her mother Cleo Wiskus of Exira; siblings: Crista Wiskus of Atlantic, Cindy Cleaver and her husband Mike of Waukee, and Carrie Tate and her husband Jeremy of Beatrice, Nebraska; sisters-in-law: Leanne Wiskus of Exira; Cathy James of Omaha; brothers-in-law: Robbie James of Omaha, Allen James of Council Bluffs; and father-in-law: Robert James of Fontanelle; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Preceding her in heavenly life is her daughter Danika James; her father Charles Wiskus; brothers, Christopher Wiskus and Craig Wiskus; her mother-in-law: Benna James; and a nephew: Matthew Sunberg.

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

I have known Carla and her wonderful family through Iowa SIDS and she has always been a great person to know. Very caring and always sharing her time and energy with the Iowa SIDS Walk that is held every year. I am very sad about this news and want to extend my sympathies to the entire family. Take care.

Deb Kozel – April 12 2020 at 9:21 AM

Carla was an inspiration to me. A kind-hearted, loving soul who set the bar at striving to do her best in all she did. Carla sought to make the day brighter for others and took the time to do special things, even during busy times. She will be missed every day by so many. God's blessings of loving memories and comfort to all her family and dear ones.

Carol Crampton – April 08 2020 at 6:05 PM

Carla was a huge part of my life during my school years. She was my interpreter when I attended Carroll Middle School and Carroll High School. At the time, I did not find any authority figures to be pleasant to work with, but looking back, I know that Carla was a huge positive influence in my current success. Without her dedication to others, many would not be where they are now. One of my favorite memories was going to the outdoor camp, and watching her traverse the snowy hills and crossing the river on a fallen tree, all while she was around 6 months pregnant. I also remember meeting Carla’s son, Christopher as a baby. He was in a high chair and kept throwing the napkin on the floor. I wanted to be polite and pick it up for him, and he kept throwing it back on the floor while Carla laughed at my awkwardness. I remember when Danika passed away, and Carla was truly heartbroken. She pressed on despite her struggles and worked hard to provide the access to the education that I needed. Carla was a beautiful soul, and I’ll always remember her as someone who cared about others and always had a smile for everyone. My condolences to her family and friends.

Heather (Swenson) Arazi – April 08 2020 at 7:30 PM

Carla was my son Wyatt’s TA teacher. She was a great person and will be missed by all who’s lives she touched. She would write notes to me on how their school day was and truly cared about all the kids she worked with.

Gail Peters – April 08 2020 at 8:02 PM

I knew Carla for 20 plus years. She was my sign language interpreter since I was a little girl at Glidden Ralston School til high school in Carroll. Carla taught me how to sign, read lips and even help me with my speech. We have spent alot of time together and she treated me like her own. We have done so much together, we went to Washington DC for school, she was there at my girl scout, CCD for church on Wednesday after school, and she was there at all my sports in Glidden and Carroll. When I went to Iowa school for the deaf, she traveled with my dad to watch me play sports. During the summer, I would go over to her house when I was younger and she would help me with sign language and other fun activities. Carla have went above and beyond helping me and being there for me. She's my best friend and to me, she family. I love her so much and she will be miss dearly.

Brittany Jo – April 08 2020 at 10:41 PM

Obituaries

Carla Jo James

Obituary

Church Service

Burial

Sharp Funeral Home ~ Carroll, Iowa

Church Service

Obituary

Tribute Wall

Carla was my son Wyatt’s TA teacher. She was a great person and will be missed by all who’s lives she touched. She would write notes to me on how their school day was and truly cared about all the kids she worked with.

Send a Personalized Message:

Photos

Explore

What We Do

Helpful Resources