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.

Donna Murphy, age 94, of Carroll, died Friday, March 25, 2022 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at St. Lawrence Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Kathy Halbur and Kathleen Macke. Lector will be Philip Storto. Gift Bearers will be Laila Johnson, Lucy Johnson, Leah Johnson. Eucharistic Minister will be Betty Schmitz. Casket Bearers will be Sean Murphy, Jeff Wittrock, Tom Wittrock, Luke Wittrock, Jake Wittrock, and Phil Storto. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll. The Carroll Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary will form an honor guard for the funeral mass.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at St. Lawrence Church in Carroll.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Kuemper Catholic Schools Foundation.

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

Donna, the daughter of Albert and Margaret (Eischeid) Hannasch was born on March 14, 1928, in Carroll, Iowa. She grew up in Arcadia and graduated from St. Angela’s Academy in Carroll in 1946. She married Edward J. Murphy on June 18, 1947. They lived in Chicago briefly but settled in Carroll in 1948 where they lived and raised their family until her death.

Donna was a long-time member of St. Lawrence Church and belonged to the Guild. She also belonged to the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and was an active volunteer with the St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary. She was a lifelong blood donor and volunteered at New Hope Village Bargain Shop as well as Meals on Wheels. One of Donna’s favorite hobbies was playing Bridge especially at Bridge Club. Donna will be remembered for being an outstanding homemaker, baking many pies, and a beautiful seamstress. Most of all Donna enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Donna is survived by her children: Alan (Judy) Murphy of Springfield, IL, Craig (Peggy) Murphy of Ft. Dodge, LuAnn (Joe) Wittrock of Mendota Heights, MN, and Lisa (John) Storto of Bloomingdale, IL; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; her sister, Betty Schechinger of Carroll, and her sister-in-law: Shirley Huth of Cumming, GA, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ed in 2017; son, Keith in 2013; siblings: Eileen (Elmer) Schmitz, and Ruth (Don) Diers; brothers-in-law: Don Schechinger and Marvin Huth.

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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I always considered Donna a good friend and such a good bridge player. Always marveled about her hair-never out of place. A beautiful lady!!!!

karen hess – March 26 2022 at 9:39 AM

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Always enjoyed working with Donna over the years at Ladies guild functions, and a friendly smile at mass as they always sat near us over the years. May she enjoy the rewards of eternal life!

Kaye Stock Arndorfer – March 26 2022 at 10:44 AM

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Donna and Ed always set an example of a welcoming family home establishing many holiday traditions with her family. She always had a table ready for a game or assembling a puzzle. We also shared a fondness for saduko puzzles. It is always difficult to loose your mother or your mother in law.

Judy Murphy – March 27 2022 at 1:13 PM

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We are all thinking of family at this difficult time. Donna was a beautiful, kind woman who will be missed by many.

Jaycie Schwenk – March 28 2022 at 12:51 PM

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We were Blessed to live near the Murphy's. They always "paid" us for snow blowing with a warm Lemon Merigue Pie which was too good to wait for cooling :) Lucky us, she shared her recipes including their Bailey's Irish cream, Irish soda bread and her Perfect pie. Just loved her and her sweet hubby Ed.

Joni Rutten – March 28 2022 at 1:42 PM

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