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.

Diane Loretta Gross, age 74, of Carroll, died Saturday, May 28, 2022 at Regency Park Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Holy Spirit Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Music will be by Kathy Halbur and Kathleen Macke. Mass Servers will be Joe, Mollie, and Ben Niegsch. Lector will be Becky Boes. Gift Bearers will be Micaela, Katelyn, and Madisyn Bretey, and Brianna Anthofer. Casket Bearers will be Tyler Bretey, Carter Bretey, Elizama Campos, Adam Hoskins, Drew Beeber, and Lisa Miner. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. A Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church on Thursday morning where visitation will resume from 9:30 to 10:15a.m.

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

Born on November 4, 1947, in Carroll, Iowa; Diane was the daughter of Daniel and Rita (Steffes) Halbur. Diane attended grade school at St. Francis of Assisi School in Maple River, and graduated from Kuemper Catholic High School in 1965.

While in high school Diane worked at Tony’s Restaurant as a waitress. It was while she worked here that she was introduced to her future husband and on November 5, 1966, Diane was united in marriage to Joseph L Gross at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Carroll. The couple resided in Carroll, and this past November celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

Over the years, Diane held employment at the Community Jewelry Store, Hardee’s and Pella Corporation. She also spent several years being a devoted homemaker taking wonderful care of their two daughters.
Diane was a loving mother and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards, watching westerns, fishing, and spending her summer afternoons going out for scooter rides. Diane always looked forward to the yearly family fishing trips to Fairmont, Minnesota. Most of all Diane enjoyed traveling with Joseph, her children, and later her grandchildren on various vacations. Diane was a member of St. John Paul II Parish, and Holy Spirit Ladies Guild.

Left to cherish her memory include her husband Joseph Gross of Carroll; her daughter Maria (Travis) Bretey of Carroll; son-in-law Chris Anthofer of Glidden; her six grandchildren: Micaela, Tyler, Katelyn Carter, and Madisyn Bretey, Brianna Anthofer. Her siblings: Art Halbur of Joliet, IL, Beverly (Roy) Lorenz of Byron, IL, and Randy (Patty) Halbur of Guthrie Center; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Vincent (Nora) Gross of Carroll, Bernice Drees of Mapleton, Norma Gross of Carroll, Cecelia (Mike) Simpson of Marion, Ben (Vicki) Gross of Breda, Delores (Leroy) Boes of Carroll, Denny Grossman of Glidden, and Joleen (Dave) Sander of Carroll, Andrew Kirsch of Carroll; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents: Daniel and Rita Halbur; daughter: Pamela Anthofer; siblings: Gerard Halbur, David Halbur, Russell Halbur, Annette Vaughn, and Roger Halbur; in-laws: Mona Halbur, Walter Gross, Mary Ann Kirsch, Louise (Don) Mikkelson, Carol Gross, Richard Drees, and Aggie Grossman; and parents-in-law: Margaret and Joseph M. Gross.

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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so sorry to see my big sister leave us. my sincere condolences to Joe and all her family.

art halbur – May 29 2022 at 8:28 PM

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You have my sympathy Joe and your family. Being a Maple River girl, I remember Diane from grade school through high school. My Prayers and thoughts are with you !!!

Shirley (snyder) Hansen – May 31 2022 at 9:51 PM

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Joe and family, We're so sorry to hear of Diane's passing ! Diane was always a happy person we enjoyed visiting her when we would get to Carroll. Joe, our prayers are with you and all the family, God Bless ! Glenn and Mary Neuerburg

Glenn and Mary Neuerburg – June 01 2022 at 5:54 PM

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gone fishin in memory of Diane

art halbur – June 01 2022 at 11:20 PM

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Lit a candle in memory of Diane Gross

art halbur – May 29 2022 at 8:25 PM

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