Elizabeth “Betty” Schmitz

03/28/1933 –
07/26/2020

Share

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.

Elizabeth “Betty” Schmitz, 87 of Carroll, died, Sunday, July 26, 2020 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
Private family funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. Officiating will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Casket Bearers will be Betty’s family. The public is invited to attend the burial at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Mt. Olivet Cemetery and are asked to abide by CO VID 19 social distancing guidelines.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Betty’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Those wishing to send a memorial please direct to Sharp Funeral Home c/o Betty Schmitz Family, 226 W. 8th St. Carroll, IA 51401.
Born on March 28, 1933 at Maple River, Iowa, Elizabeth Jane was the daughter of Henry and Bernadine (Beyerink) Willeke. She attended St. Francis School and later graduated from St. Angela’s Academy in 1951. After graduation Betty worked at Woolworth’s and Ocoma Foods in Carroll.
On June 5, 1956 Betty was united in marriage to Paul “Pat” Schmitz at St. Francis Church in Maple River, Iowa. The couple made their home in Carroll where she worked for Ken Ebner with Bankers Life and was the bookkeeper for Pat Schmitz Construction.
Pat and Betty enjoyed traveling, fishing, and playing cards. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on June 5, 1981. In May of 1983, Pat died.
Following Pat’s death, Betty worked part-time for the State of Iowa Drivers License Station.
On February 19, 1986, Betty married Edwin Masching. During their time together, Ed and Betty enjoyed golfing, traveling, playing cards and walking. Ed died in October of 1992.
Betty was a member of St. Lawrence Church, Ladies Guild, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, American Legion Auxiliary and St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary. Over the years she volunteered for many organizations including, St. Anthony Hospital and the New Hope Village Bargain Shoppe. Betty enjoyed bowling, playing bridge, traveling, reading, and golfing where she recorded two holes-in-one.
Betty is survived by her children: Jean Haviland of Carroll, Cathy Olson of Carroll, Maureen Schmitz of Leawood, KS, Mary Kay (Dave) Minner of Highlands Ranch, CO, Tom Schmitz of Carroll, Connie (Tom) Kirvin of Urbandale; her son-in-law, Glenn Bernard of West Des Moines; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; as well as other extended relatives.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Paul “Pat” Schmitz and Edwin Masching; her daughter, Patricia Bernard in 2017; and her siblings: Wayne (Doris) Willeke, Joan (Roy) Huegerich, and Donald (Donna) Willeke.

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

icon-quote
Lit a candle in memory of Elizabeth "Betty" Schmitz

Doug&Doreen Bender – July 28 2020 at 9:05 AM

icon-quote
I have such fond memories of Betty and her family when we were all in our younger days..........my kids ...her kids....what fun they had. enjoyed working with her. Always ma de the days brighter with Betty around...She will be missed by many. Liz Snyder

liz snyder – July 29 2020 at 1:21 PM

icon-quote
Sympathy and Prayers - always enjoyed visiting/working with your mom Tom.

Kaye Stock – July 29 2020 at 10:49 AM

icon-quote
Our thoughts and prayers to all the Families❣️️Betty was a great neighbor and friend! A very proud mother and grandmother...God bless her❣️️

Debra Fahn – July 29 2020 at 10:40 AM

icon-quote
Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Elizabeth "Betty" Schmitz.

Comment #31449452 – July 28 2020 at 11:58 PM

Send a Personalized Message: