Donald Behrens

03/13/1924 –

01/20/2019

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.

Donald Behrens, 94 of Carroll died Sunday, January 20, 2019 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, January 25, 2019 at St. John Paul II Parish – Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Music will be by Marcy Anderson and Michaela Behrens. Lectors will be: Matthew Behrens and Kaitlyn Gipple. Gift Bearers will be: Tracie Lorenzen, Kristy Behrens, Stephanie Pauly, Michaela Behrens and Kaitlyn Gipple. Eucharistic Minister will be Ken Behrens. Casket Bearers will be: Ryan Eischeid, Michael Behrens, Cole Feldman, Marc Behrens, Alex Eischeid, Matthew Behrens, Eric Feldman, Mitchell Behrens, T.J. Feldman, Grant Olberding and Carter Olberding. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4 p.m. on Thursday where there will be a rosary at 5 p.m. by the Templeton Knights of Columbus and a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church on Friday morning where additional visitation will be held from 9-9:45 a.m.

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

Donald Behrens was born on March 13, 1924 to Mayme (Heithoff) Behrens and Henry Behrens. He grew up on the family farm near Roselle and attended Holy Angels School.

On April 25, 1950, Don was united in marriage to Arlene Hansman at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willey, IA with Fr. H.J. Drees officiating. The couple made their home southwest of Roselle and were blessed with 5 children. Don was engaged in livestock and grain farming. In addition to farming, he was active in St. Augustine Parish committees, the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society.

The couple moved to Carroll, in 1986, however, Don continued to work on the farm for many years. After moving to Carroll, Don and Arlene were members of Holy Spirit Parish. Don enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, golfing, traveling with friends and socializing at morning coffee. Most of all, Don loved to spend time with family and attending family events. Don was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. His family are left to cherish his quiet, mischievous sense of humor. Don left his family with a legacy of faith, generosity and selfless love through his quiet, humble demeanor.

Left to celebrate Don’s life is his wife of 68 years, Arlene, of Carroll, his children: Duane (Deb) Behrens of Omaha, Diane Eischeid of West Des Moines, Vern (Becky) Behrens of Carroll, Rhonda (Tom) Feldman of Carroll and Kathy (Keith) Olberding of Granger; 16 grandchildren: Tracie (Jason) Lorenzen, Ryan (Brooke) Eischeid, Kristy Behrens, Michael (Julie) Behrens, Stephanie (Nick) Pauly, Cole Feldman, Marc (Angela) Behrens, Alex Eischeid, Michaela Behrens, Matthew Behrens, Eric Feldman, Kaitlyn (Chris) Gipple, Mitchell Behrens, T.J. Feldman, Grant Olberding and Carter Olberding; 15 great grandchildren; Sister-in-laws Margaret Behrens and Virgene Behrens of Carroll, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents: Mayme and Henry Behrens; his parents-in-law, John and Rose Hansman; his son-in-law, Vern Eischeid, his daughter-in-law, Jana Behrens; his brothers and sister-in-laws: Harry (Dorothy) Behrens, Virgil (Louise) Behrens, James Behrens and in infancy, Robert Behrens; his sisters and brother-in-laws: Marie (Ed) Siepker, Florine (Harold) Eich, and Rita (Erwin) Vonnahme; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Melvin (Florence) Hansman, Marcella (George) Grossman, Edward (Corrine) Hansman, Robert (Betty) Hansman, Phyllis (Peter) Sibenaller and in infancy, Leroy Hansman.

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

We remember the many Birthdays and Anniversaries we celebrated together. We had a great group and had a lot of fun. Going out to eat and then back to the house and playing pitch until the wee hours. Many laughs and jokes and enjoyed them all. Also remember the crazy Halloween costumes we all came up with and the fun we had trick or drinking??? You were also great neighbors!! Sympathy and prayers to the family! Bob and Audrey

Bob and Audrey Behrens – January 21 2019 at 6:15 PM

As I pause, remembering how our family's lives overlapped along Hawthorne Ave. over the years, I recall walking beans, trapping your creek, sharing rides with your girls to piano lessons, and riding the bus - trying not to back over your mailbox. But when it comes to Don I most remember his laugh while playing cards with my folks and the rest of the neighbors. Peace to Don and your family. Janet (Stitz) and Rick Muhlbauer

Janet Muhlbauer – January 22 2019 at 11:14 AM

Sympathies to the Behrens family~ Sorry to hear of your loss. Growing up on the same trek of gravel, I recall most the nights when Don/Arlene - and other friends would come over to our house to play cards. Loved it!! That meant we could hang a little and get a few chuckles out of the group....AND get grasshopper/ice cream. I enjoyed helping babysit Vern/Becky's kids through the years - and running past Don here/there on the farm. Super nice fellow - GREAT people.....cherished friends. May Don's light continue to shine bright in you all~ Pam (Stitz) & Chris Kitt

Pam Kitt – January 22 2019 at 2:10 PM

Thoughts and prayers to your family during this difficult time. I worked for Don and Vern when I was in high school and remember Don's smile and laugh. Was blessed growing up getting to know the Behrens family...they were great neighbors. Don was a truly genuine and caring person. Thinking of you Arlene, Vern/Becky, Kathy/Keith, and the rest of the Behrens family. Dave & Patty Stitz

Dave Stitz – January 23 2019 at 5:51 PM

We would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family. With deep sympathy, we share your sorrow, after the tears have dried and the goodbyes have been said, all we have to hold onto are the happy memories that we’ve shared with our loved ones who have passed, this is what keeps them alive in our hearts and in our minds, and they will continue to live on, through us. May God give you the strength to endure the pain you are going through and may he embrace you and comfort your family during this difficult time."Jesus said to her: 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.'"-John 11:25

magallon family – January 24 2019 at 8:34 AM

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Donald Behrens

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Sharp Funeral Home ~ Carroll, Iowa

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