Carol (Heithoff) Meiners, 78, of Dedham, died Thursday, July 16, 2020 at her home surrounded by family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Parish in Dedham. Celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm assisted by Deacon Louie Meiners. The organ will be played by a good friend, Cindy Bauer, and songs by a grandson Seth Pierce. Lector for the funeral mass will be brother, Ken Heithoff, and sister-in-law, Lori Devine. Casket Bearers will be grandchildren: Brandon Meiners, Samantha Bedford, Tyler Hunke, Ryan Bedford, Ashley Meiners, Kristin Hunke, Lindsey Golwitzer and Kaylie Golwitzer. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Dedham. Those who choose to attend the funeral mass are required to wear a face covering. There will be no public visitation at the church prior to the mass.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. Those in attendance are asked to abide by COVID 19 social distancing guidelines, and masks are recommended.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church to establish a nursing education scholarship in Carol’s name. If mailing a memorial please mail to Family of Carol Meiners, c/o Sharp Funeral Home, 226 W. 8th St. Carroll, IA 51401.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Carol’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Carol, the daughter of Marcellus & Otillia (Weitl) Heithoff, was born on April 18, 1942 in Carroll, Iowa. She grew up in Templeton, Iowa; and Verndale, Minn., and attended St. Gabriel’s Hospital School of Nursing in Little Falls, Minn. Carol began her nursing career at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.
On January 4, 1964, Carol was united in marriage to Harold Meiners at St. Frederick’s Catholic Church in Verndale. The couple lived a short time in Maplewood, Minn., and then raised their nine children in the Dedham area, eventually settling on the family farm. After moving to Iowa, Carol worked at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll, private nursing care and retired from Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home in Coon Rapids in 2004.
Carol was involved in many community activities including the Dedham St. Joseph’s Church Ladies Guild, St. Joseph’s choir, Dedham Auxiliary, Viola Homemakers Club, and the Red Hatters. In retirement, Harold and Carol loved to travel – visiting all continents except Antarctica, spending their winter months in Florida or Arizona and loving their time in Branson, MO. with their many friends and family.
After her diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer, and initial treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., Carol was able to help advance the study of immuno-therapy treatment through her participation in the exclusive polio vaccine clinical trial with Duke University’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center in Durham, N.C. It was important for her to continue to contribute through this ongoing research to help improve the future of those impacted by the disease.
Left to celebrate her life is her beloved husband, Harold Meiners, her children: Lisa Meiners (Joe Stumph), Vadnais Heights, Minn.; Gary Meiners, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Brenda (Jarret) Golwitzer, West Des Moines, Iowa; Kim (Fred) Campbell, Carroll, Iowa; Deb (Randy) Russell, Ogden, Iowa; Mike (Laura) Meiners, Rochester, Minn.; Tim (Nicole) Meiners, Denver, Colo.; Tami (Brian) Larson, Ankeny, Iowa; Chris (Krissy) Meiners, Denver, Colo.
Grandchildren: Brandon Meiners; Ashley Meiners (Seth Pierce); Lindsey and Kaylie Golwitzer; Samantha and Ryan Bedford; Kaitlyn and Kyle Campbell; Tyler and Kristin Hunke; Alex, Emma and Norah Meiners; Jaxon and Maddox Meiners; Grace and Abigail Larson.
Brother, Ken (Karen) Heithoff, Naples, Fla.; Sister Connie Heithoff (Rae), Grand Marais, Minn.
Brothers-in-law: Bob Meiners (Mary), Hampshire, Ill.; Vern (Jane) Meiners, Carroll, Iowa; Ron (Jeanine) Meiners; Carroll, Iowa; Ray (Gail) Meiners, Papillion, Neb.
Sisters-in-law: Lori Devine, Watertown, S.D.; Rosie (Pat) Lenz, Omaha, Neb.; Mary (Gary) Tripp, Crescent, Iowa as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended relatives.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Marcellus & Otillia Heithoff; infant brother, John; sister-in-law, Nancy Meiners; brother-in-law, John Devine; in-laws, Henry & Agnella Meiners.
