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 Molitor, 71 of Leawood, Kansas and formerly of Carroll, died Monday, March 18, 2024 at his home in Leawood, surrounded by his family.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2024 at St. Lawrence Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Jane Heithoff and Kathleen Macke. Lectors for the Funeral Mass will be Dennis’ son’s, Marc, Neal, and Dean Molitor. Gift Bearers will be Dennis’ grandchildren. Casket Bearers will be Marc Molitor, Neal Molitor, Dean Molitor, Roger Molitor, Paul Molitor, Melvin Molitor, and John Molitor. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a prayer service at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to St. Lawrence Church on Saturday morning where additional visitation will be from 9-9:45 a.m.

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

Dennis Charles Molitor, son of John and Eileen (Kenyon) Molitor, was born February 24, 1953, in Sibley, IA
Dennis was united in marriage to Fe Socorro (Shirley) Parado on November 20, 1982, in New Orleans, LA, and together they raised three sons, Marc, Neal, and Dean.

Dennis grew up on a grain and livestock farm near Ruthven, IA. He graduated from Ruthven High School and from Iowa State University with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Agriculture. After Iowa State, Dennis was the Agricultural Education Instructor and Future Farmers of America advisor at Sibley High School from 1976-1980. From 1980-1983, he was the Iowa State University Extension Director in Calhoun County, IA. In 1983, Dennis moved to Carroll where he served as the Carroll County Extension Director until his retirement in 2009. Dennis and Shirley relocated to Leawood, KS, in January of 2021.

Dennis was an active member of the community, serving on the St. Lawrence School Board, the Carroll Community School Board, and as a president of the Carroll Rotary Club. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Lawrence Parish in Carroll and later of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Overland Park, KS. Dennis was a dedicated member of St. Michael’s Christ Renews His Parish and men’s group and a Knight of Columbus.

Dennis greatly enjoyed coaching his sons and attending their games and performances. He was an avid gardener, loyal Iowa State fan, and Shirley’s faithful travel partner. He especially cherished spending time with his ten beloved grandchildren.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Felicisima Almazan Parado; father-in-law, Froilan Ballesta Parado; brother-in-law, John Siple; sister-in-law, Rosario Kuylen; sister-in-law Becky Fricks; and Godson, Tyler Molitor.

Dennis is survived by his wife Shirley Molitor of Leawood, KS; his children, Marc (Ilka) Molitor of Overland Park, KS, Neal (Tracy) Molitor of Johnston, IA, Dean (Abigail) Molitor of Chicago, IL; grandchildren Noah, Peter, Brooke, Luke, Ria, Theodore, Saige, Augustine, Charles, and Blake Molitor; his siblings, Roger Molitor of Port St. John, FL, JoAnn Siple of Rochester, MN, Paul (Patricia) Molitor of Ruthven, IA, Melvin (Margaret) Molitor of Spencer, IA, Marilyn (Michael) Hildreth of Brookings, SD, Jeanette (Ronald) Schwartz of Shoreview, MN, Geri (Fred) Walker of Des Moines, IA and John J. (Kelley) Molitor of Osage, IA; his sisters-in-law, Gloria (Jose) Quinagon of Sugar Land, TX, Celna (Alexander) Conforti of Sugar Land, TX, Linaflor Parado of Sugar Land, TX, and Cherry (Robert) Medrano of Missouri City, TX; and his brother-in-law, Jon Parado of Sugar Land, TX, as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

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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Mark, Gail, Lori, George, Scott, Teresa planted a Memorial Tree in honor of Dennis Molitor.

Mark, Gail, Lori, George, Scott, Teresa – March 20 2024 at 9:59 PM

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My deepest sympathies to Dennis' family. I am a food and health specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach and enjoyed working with Dennis when assigned to Carroll County. I remember my supervisor saying something like, 'You know Dennis has a good model, he offers a program, first in one community and then the next until he has covered the entire county." I've never forgotten that model of good extension programming and networking. Whenever I was out and about in the county with Dennis, people know him, he had respect. Prayers and sympathies to your family. Renee Sweers

Renee S – April 01 2024 at 3:57 PM

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Shirley & Family, we are so sorry to hear of the passing of Dennis. God certainly is watching over all of you. Dennis was so lucky to have your endless love & prayers, Shirley. Hugs! Randy & Karen (Lenz) Zubrod

Karen Zubrod – March 23 2024 at 3:06 PM

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I worked with Dennis after the 1993 reorganization of ISU Extension as Nutrition Field specialist. I always enjoyed the time I spent in Carroll County and the time doing programs with Dennis. When in Carroll, Dennis would always do the driving. When we arrived at our destination, we would exit the car and Dennis would leave his keys in the car. I live in Des Moines. We take our keys with us, or when we return there will be no car. I asked Dennis about this and he assured me that in Carroll the car was safe. He knew his coummunity and trusted it and the many great people living there. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

Susan B Klein – March 23 2024 at 1:13 PM

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Shirley and family, Sympathy from the family of "Tex' Stock, and Roger & I. We are still in our winter home and will not be able to attend any of the services, but know that Dennis and you all are in our prayers. When Someone you Love becomes a Memory, the Memory becomes a Treasure.... Kaye & family

Kaye Stock Arndorfer – March 22 2024 at 11:34 PM

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