Clarence “Clem” Tunning

09/18/1937 –

09/04/2020

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.

Clarence “Clem” Tunning, 82, of Carroll died Friday, September 4, 2020 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital. Mass of the Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 10, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Catholic church in Dedham. The Celebrant will be Father Patrick Behm, assisted by Deacon Louis Meiners. Music will be by Jane Heithoff and Deb Clausen. Lector will be Nick Fangman. Honorary Gift Bearers will be Linsey Pick, Lauren Schau, Ellen Tuel, Liz Reutter, Abby Sibbel, Macy Tunning, Madeline Stribe, and Harper Stribe. Casket Bearers will be Ben Gradoville, Nathan Williams, Danielle Williams, Nick Gradoville, Jon Fangman, Justin Tunning, Emma Tunning, and Nile Stribe. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Dedham, Iowa.
Private visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. Funeral mass is open to the public, but face coverings are required for those in attendance. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Clarence’s name to Kuemper Catholic Schools, National Fragile X Foundation, and Unravel Iowa (Pediatric Cancer research).
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Clarences family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born September 18th, 1937 at the family’s farm in rural Dedham. He was the son of Herman and Elizabeth (Bekehermes) Tunning. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Dedham. After graduating, Clem worked as a farm hand, worked at the Dedham Coop, and Juergen’s Produce and Feed before starting farming in 1962.
Clarence and Linda (Klocke) were married December 30, 1961 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham by Father Henry Meyer. Eventually they moved to the family farm near Dedham where they raised 5 children.
Clem enjoyed fishing, playing cards, Iowa Hawkeye sports, trips to Branson Missouri, music, and having coffee with many of his friends. He was a Kuemper supporter, and enjoyed following his kids and grandkids activities over the years. He loved dancing and singing with his wife Linda, whether dancing the polka in Arcadia or singing church songs in the Dedham and Holy Spirit choirs. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family: his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the joy of his life.
Clarence is survived by his wife Linda of 59 years. His children: Kay (John) Gradoville of Carroll, Julie (Larry) Williams of Willey, Lisa (Nick) Fangman of Carroll, Scott (Tammy) Tunning of Coon Rapids, and Nicole (Nolan) Stribe of Polk City. His siblings: Evelyn Sporrer, Lorena Grossman, Leonard (Verna) Tunning, and Robert (Mary Louise) Tunning; Sisters and brothers in-law; George (Donna) Klocke, Paul Klocke, Genevieve (Rich) Voss, Mary (John) Fasbender, Floyd (Lisa) Klocke, Karen (Joe) Hinners, Kathy (Perry) Kennard, Brian (Molly) Klocke. 16 grandkids, 9 great-grandkids; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and many friends.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Elizabeth and parents-in-law Ben and Laura Klocke; one brother, Ray; brothers-in-law Robert Grossman, Vernice (Sprig) Sporrer, Junior Klocke, John Klocke and sister-in-law Lois Tunning and Mary Klocke.

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

So sorry to hear of your loss Kaye. Sending prayers to you and your family. Donna Brown

Donna Brown – September 07 2020 at 9:59 PM

Lisa and Families, My thoughts and prayers for you all during this time of grief. Rest in peace Clem!

Holley Drees – September 10 2020 at 8:10 PM

Rick and Jessica Snyder and the UMR team at CIBC. purchased the Peaceful White Lilies Basket for the family of Clarence "Clem" Tunning.

Rick and Jessica Snyder and the UMR team at CIBC. – September 09 2020 at 2:36 PM

Medium Dish Garden was purchased for the family of Clarence "Clem" Tunning.

Comment #31837157 – September 08 2020 at 9:32 PM

My heartfelt sympathy to your family. He will always be a part of my childhood memories. May perpetual light shine on him. Janet (Derner) Schulte.

jan schulte – September 08 2020 at 7:24 AM

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