Dorothy Bellinghausen

06/26/1930 –

03/16/2025

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.

Dorothy Bellinghausen, 94, of Carroll, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at St. Anthony’s Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025 at St. John Paul II Parish, Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Father Patrick Behm. Music will be by Kathy Halbur and Kathleen Macke. Lectors will be Crystal Hoffman and Randi Heisterkamp. Gift Bearers are Haddie Irlbeck, Camden Bellinghausen and Lily Heisterkamp. Casket Bearers will be Scott Hudson, Joel Armstrong, Nick Bellinghausen, Matt Hoffman, Adam Heisterkamp and Joe Irlbeck. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery at Maple River.

Visitation is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Memorial contributions will be directed to the St. Francis Cemetery Fund. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Dorothy’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Dorothy Theresa, daughter of John and Margaret (Rutten) Venner, was born June 26, 1930, in Carroll, Iowa. Dorothy was the youngest of 12 children and grew up at Maple River. She attended St. Francis School through the eighth grade. Dorothy then worked at St. Anthony Hospital and the Burke Hotel.

On December 30, 1952, Dorothy was united in marriage with Al Bellinghausen at St. Francis Church with Rev. Laurence Schoeppner officiating. Six children were born to this union and they lived in the house that Al built in Maple River. Dorothy enjoyed being an Avon Rep and Team Leader for more than 45 years.

Dorothy was a longtime and faithful member of St. Francis in Maple River where she was Eucharistic Minister and member of the Choir and Guild. She volunteered with numerous funeral luncheons and helped with bingo at the nursing homes. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters.

Dorothy and Al enjoyed traveling on cruises, going overseas, and visiting all 50 states. She crocheted baby blankets for the hospital, made dresses for children in Honduras and sewed masks for local nursing homes during covid. Dorothy always enjoyed gardening and flowers

Dorothy is survived by five children: Jim (Diane) Bellinghausen of Carroll; Sharon Hudson and special friend Mike Bailey of Mabank, Texas; Dale (Donna) Bellinghausen of Halbur; Deb (Joe) Thielen of Maple River; and Karla (Jack) Heisterkamp of Carroll; a daughter-in-law Susie Bellinghausen of Arizona; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; A brother Cyril (Anita) Venner of Arcadia; Sisters-in-law: Mary Bellinghausen of Carroll, Alvina Beyer of Florida, Cindy Irlbeck of Carroll, Jeannette Brown of Carroll, Mary Bolan of Carroll, and a brother-in-law Wayne (Sharon) Bellinghausen of Carroll.

She was preceded in death by her parents: her husband Alvin; a son Rich Bellinghausen; a son-in-law Mike Hudson; six brothers: Lawrence Venner, Andrew Venner, Clarence Venner, Tony Venner, Ed Venner and Albin Venner; four sisters: Helen Meister, Marie Redig, Florence Bellinghausen and Rita Koester; and by numerous in-laws.

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

Dorothy was such a sweet lady. Got to know her through Catholic Daughters. She helped us with so many of our organizations projects. May she rest in peace.

Bev Vonnahme – March 17 2025 at 2:16 PM

Much sympathy to all the family..Joyce and Gordon weller

Joyce weller – March 17 2025 at 2:48 PM

Dorothy was my aunt, and also my godmother. She was a gracious lady and always had a smile on her face. My condolences to all of her family. May she rest in peace. Barb (Ohde) Reding

Barb Reding – March 19 2025 at 9:43 AM

Visits to Aunt Dorothy always brought a smile to your face. From the times I was a youngster, and we visited her in Maple River to my adult life and seeing her in Carroll, she had an uplifting spirit when you were around her. I will miss those positive feelings. RIP Gary & Virginia Bellinghausen

Gary & Virginia Bellinghausen – March 20 2025 at 6:59 PM

I send my prayers and sympathy to the family of Dorothy Bellinghausen. Dorothy helped me get my first paying job as an Avon representative. I remember her sharing her talents with our 4-H group when I was a young girl. She seemed happy all the time and always had a wonderful smile on her face. She always complimented me on doing a good job of playing the organ for mass at Maple River, St. Francis Church, (even when I made mistakes). But her compliments meant so much to me.

Julie (Gross) Heithoff – March 21 2025 at 9:04 AM

Obituaries