Clarence Wittrock

04/19/1926 –

07/10/2018

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 Wittrock, age 92, of Carroll, died Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2018 at St. John Paul II Parish – Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. The celebrant will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Music will be by Barb McDermott and the Holy Spirit Choir. Lectors will be Renae DeBarbieri, and Brandon Wittrock. Gift Bearers will be Angie Weeks, Brittany Wittrock, and Elizabeth Wittrock. Eucharistic Ministers will be Charles Whalen, Vernell Wittrock, and Pat Sanders. Casket Bearers will be Kevin Brincks, Jeff Wittrock, Brian Soyer, Michael Wittrock, Mark Brincks, and Chad Soyer. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, after 4 p.m. on Thursday, where there will be a Rosary prayed at 5 p.m., and a Christian Wake Service will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Visitation will resume from 9:30 until 10:15 a.m. Friday morning at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll.

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

Clarence was born on April 9, 1926 at Hartington, Nebraska, the son of Charles, and Francis (Roth) Wittrock. At a young age the family moved to the Roselle area where he grew up, and attended school at Holy Angels School. Clarence was drafted into the United States Army on March 7, 1945. He served as a M.P. guarding a P.O.W. Camp in the Philippines with the 1st Calvary Division, and later served in Japan. Clarence was honorably discharged on December 10, 1946.

On October 17, 1950 Clarence was united in marriage to Catherine Meiners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willey with Rev. Dries officiating the ceremony. Following their marriage the couple farmed until retirement. Clarence then worked part-time for LeRoy and Sons in Arcadia, and the Carroll County Landfill. He enjoyed fishing, small game hunting, Pistol Gun Club, and playing cards. Clarence was a lifelong blood donor, donating blood until the age of 90. He was a member of Holy Spirit Church in Carroll.

Left to celebrate Clarence’s life is his wife of over 67 years, Catherine Wittrock of Carroll; five children: MaryKay (Larry) Brincks of Kimberly, WI, Joe (LuAnn) Wittrock of Mendota Heights, MN, Karen (Charles) Whalen of Carroll, Denis (Brenda) Wittrock of Glidden, and Jerome (Sheri) Wittrock of Burnsville, MN; 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; his siblings: Dorothy Berger of Lohrville, Velma Tigges of Carroll, Merlin Wittrock of Carroll, and Ronald Wittrock of Anita; his brothers-in-law, and sister-in-law: Ed Steinkamp of Wall Lake, Bernice Wittrock of Carroll, Bernard (Marita) Meiners of Coon Rapids, Marcella Naberhaus of Carroll, and Anthony (Colleen) Meiners of Carroll, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law: Mike Soyer, a grandson, Doug Soyer; his brothers: Alfred Wittrock, twin brother, Charles Wittrock, and Gerald Wittrock; his sister: Marjorie Steinkamp; his sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law: Walter Tigges, Alvin Berger, Jeanette Wittrock, Arlene Wittrock, John (Margaret) Meiners, Delores Meiners, and Norbert Naberhaus.

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'm so sad to hear this...….. He was a very nice man, he always helped Clete Irlmeier out when he needed it...….

Susan – July 10 2018 at 10:13 PM

My Condolences to the Family as We are never Prepared for the loss of a Parent. Clarence was a True delight to Spend time with and will be Missed. May he truly Rest in Peace..

Gerald Berger – July 11 2018 at 11:04 AM

One of Many Memories was at a Family Reunion many Decades Ago when Clarence was sitting at a table next to his Twin Brother Charles. As we were sitting there, one of their very young Granddaughters came running up saying Grandpa..Grandpa...Then she saw TWO OF THEM!!!! Her face was Priceless :)

Gerald Berger – July 11 2018 at 11:07 AM

My condolences to your family. Mom and dad will now have another card player. Prayers sent.

Kris Hollander – July 12 2018 at 7:52 AM

Clarence was a wonderful neighbor and loving husband and father to his family. He will be missed. May he rest in peace! JoAnne Wendl Neugent ", 8/1/2018 6:14:12 PM 4924304,25971727,15,,,,,,Be My Love Bouquet with Red Roses was purchased for the family of Clarence Wittrock."

JoAnne Neugent – July 10 2018 at 7:28 PM

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