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.

Dennis “Denny” Lawrence Pudenz, age 78, of Lake View, Iowa, died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Lund Family Hospice House in Gilbert, AZ.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 6, 2013, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Mt. Carmel, IA. The Celebrant will be Father Gary Snyder. Music will be provided by Denise Nieland and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Choir. Lectors will be Dr. Carrie Hanson, Liz Morton and Annie Pudenz. Gift Bearers will be Dr. Carrie Hanson, Liz Morton, Annie Pudenz, Ainsley Pudenz and Clara Hanson. Casket Bearers will be Phil Pudenz, Larry Pudenz, Duane Pudenz, Jeremy Pudenz, Dr. Michael Pudenz, Jordan Hofmann, Chris Hanson, and Rick Anthofer. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Jacob Pudenz, Zachary Pudenz and Nathan Pudenz. Burial will be at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery following the funeral mass.
Friends may call at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church Monday, May 6, after 9:00 a.m. where visitation will be until time of the funeral mass.
Born on February 3, 1935 in Carroll Iowa, Denny was the son of Lawrence and Dorothy (Broich) Pudenz. He spent his childhood in the Mt. Carmel community and graduated from Carroll High School where he met Ida. Denny married Ida Davis on June 8, 1957, and eventually settled in Breda, Iowa to raise their family. Denny and Ida grew their business, Pudenz Truck Line, serving the farming communities throughout the area. Although the business changed over time one thing remained the same and that was Denny’s passion for his trucks. The only thing that Denny loved more than his truck was his family and fishing. Denny lived for the next story of what his children, grandchildren and great granddaughter were up to and proudly shared these stories and accomplishments with his neighbors and friends in the community. After retiring you could often find him on his front porch in Lake View, offering a friendly wave to everyone passing by.
He leaves his wife of 55 years; Ida Pudenz, his sons; Phil Pudenz and his wife Linda of Sioux Falls, SD, Larry Pudenz of Gilbert, AZ, Duane Pudenz and his wife Janet of Apple Valley, MN, Jeremy Pudenz and his wife Noel of Gilbert, AZ, his daughter Denise Corathers and her husband Greg of Mesa, AZ, his grandchildren; Dr. Carrie Hanson and her husband Chris of Sioux Falls, SD, Liz Morton of Gilbert, AZ, Jordan Hofmann of Apache Junction, AZ, Dr. Michael Pudenz of Madison, WI, Annie Pudenz of Chicago, IL, Jacob Pudenz, Zachary Pudenz of Apple Valley, MN, Ainsley Pudenz, Nathan Pudenz of Gilbert Arizona, his great granddaughter Clara Hanson of Sioux Falls, SD, his aunt Susie Broich of Carroll, IA; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lois Anthofer and her husband Joseph, and his brother Duane “Whitey” Pudenz.

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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Ida and family- We are sorry to hear of Denny's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God bless.

Leroy (Doc) and Sherri Steinkamp – May 04 2013 at 9:43 PM

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Our prayers are with you during this time of loss.

Mike and Marie Buse and Evan – May 04 2013 at 9:44 AM

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Our sincere condolences to Denny's family and friends.

Bob and Mary Lou Stork – May 03 2013 at 10:38 AM

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DENNY AND I HAD SOME FUN TIMES WHEN I WORKED WITH HIM. HE WILL BE MISSED. ARE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

DARRELL &SANDY PUDENZ – May 02 2013 at 3:58 PM

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So sorry to hear about Denny, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love Becky Racobs

Becky Racobs – April 30 2013 at 10:30 PM

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