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.

Charlotte Bengford, 87 of Carroll, and formerly of Odebolt, died Tuesday evening, March 14, 2017 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll surrounded by her family.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Music will be by Barb McDermott and the Holy Spirit Choir. Lectors for the funeral mass will be: Jennifer Roeder, Chelsea Gross, and Laurel Bengford. Gift Bearers will be: Jaime Stitz, Jeana Schroeder, Brittany Schramm, and Cristina Elliott. Casket Bearers will be: Brendan Buchanan, Dustin Bengford, Tanner Bengford, Taylor Bengford, Reece Bengford, and Elliott Bengford. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Martin’s Cemetery in Odebolt.

Visitation will be held at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church on Friday morning where additional visitation will begin at 9 a.m. until time of the funeral mass.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Charlotte’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Born on November 27, 1929 at Odebolt, Iowa, Charlotte Ruth was the daughter of Charles and Ruth (Rydberg) Neville. Charlotte attended country school and later graduated in 1947 from Odebolt High School.

On June 1, 1950, she was united in marriage to Wilbert Bengford at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt. The couple made their home on the Neville family farm near Odebolt and later moved into the Odebolt Community. Charlotte was a devoted homemaker, raising her five children and also worked various jobs in Odebolt. Charlotte and Wilbert loved attending dances at the Lakewood Ballroom in Lake View. She loved to host her family for gathering and was an excellent cook and baker. The family enjoyed fishing trips and trips to Mahoney State Park for various family functions. Most of all Charlotte enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren on their many fun excursions. She also enjoyed her birthday club and her card clubs.

Charlotte had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh and personality. She was a lifelong member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt, Parish ladies guild, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Charlotte is survived by her children: Dean (Laurie) Bengford of Cape Coral, FL, Julianne (special friend, Randy Schreck) Schenkelberg of Arnolds Park, Susan Green of Lake View, Steve (Deb) Bengford of Arthur, and Darrell (Traci) Bengford of Odebolt; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; her sister, Beverly Kolbe of Sac City; her brother, Frank (Diane) Neville of Odebolt; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Ruth Neville of Odebolt, Norman (Dori) Bengford of San Jose, CA, Mary Jean Schiernbeck of LeMar, MO, Margaret Ann Jennett of Muscatine, Celie Bengford of North Kingstown, RI, Jan Bengford of Newton, and Alice Bengford of Addison, IL; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and many friends.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Wilbert in 2009; her son-in-law, Bob Green; her sister Lorraine Neville; her brothers: Roger Neville, Wendell Neville, and Earl Neville.

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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Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Charlotte Bengford.

Comment #21944444 – March 15 2017 at 8:12 PM

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A sympathy card was purchased for the family of Charlotte Bengford.

Comment #22045879 – March 27 2017 at 4:25 PM

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Love Pat,Krista,Mario,Matt,David&AnneMarieBengford purchased the Enchanted Cottage for the family of Charlotte Bengford.

Love Pat,Krista,Mario,Matt,David&AnneMarieBengford – March 17 2017 at 2:17 AM

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Lavender Reflections Spray was purchased for the family of Charlotte Bengford.

Comment #21952960 – March 16 2017 at 11:58 PM

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Many memories of picnics to Dolliver State Park with Willie and Charlotte and the group, hiking through the bluffs there, and the laughter that always was a part of any time together. She always had a smile when we saw her. She will be missed.

Marianne & Darrell Overturf – March 16 2017 at 1:00 PM

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