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.

Elmer Irlbeck, 69 of Westside, died Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska following a yearlong battle with leukemia.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 19, 2018 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Arcadia. The Celebrant will be Fr. Richard Remmes. Music will be by Sharon Bierl and the St. John’s Choir. Lector for the funeral mass will be Diana Hoogestraat. Gift Bearers will be Elmer’s grandchildren: Bailee, Britnee, Jake, Bethanee, and John Irlbeck, Tempi Hathcock, and Drake and Josephine Moore. Eucharistic Ministers will be Diana Hoogestraat and Jerome Henkenius. Casket Bearers will be: Dan Irlbeck, Bob Irlbeck, Kevin Irlbeck, Jim Irlbeck, Doug Irlbeck, Daryl Irlbeck, David Irlbeck, Brian Berg, Kevin Berg, and Allen Steinkamp. The Arcadia American Legion will form an honor guard for the funeral mass. Burial will be at a later date.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4 p.m. on Wednesday where there will be a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 9-10 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for the Powell Center at Iowa Methodist Hospital or for Kuemper Catholic Schools Foundation.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Elmer’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Elmer Albert Irlbeck was born on June 27, 1948 in Carroll, Iowa the son of Albert and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Irlbeck. He attended St. John’s School and later graduated from Kuemper Catholic High School in 1966. Following his schooling he was drafted in the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War and was honorable discharged in October of 1969. Elmer returned to the Arcadia area and was united in marriage to Linda Hoogestraat on November 27, 1971 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Arcadia. Elmer farmed south of Arcadia his entire lifetime and also held various jobs including Farmland Foods in Carroll and most recently Haley Equipment in Carroll. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and following them in their various activities. Elmer also enjoyed trips to the casino and spending time outdoors. He was proud to be one of the original members of the Arcadia Budman Softball Team. Elmer was a member of the Arcadia American Legion.

Elmer is survived by his wife Linda Irlbeck of Westside; his children: Jen (Brian) Hathcock and their daughter, Tempi of Carroll, Stephanie (Trevor) Moore and their children, Drake and Josephine of Osceola, Jesse (Jodi) Irlbeck and their children, Bailee, Britnee, Jake, Bethanee, and John of Arcadia, and Michael (Melissa) Irlbeck and Baby Irlbeck of West Des Moines; his siblings: Marie (Gerald) Berg of Arcadia, Larry (Joyce) Irlbeck of Westside, and Allen (Sue) Irlbeck of Avoca; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Laverne Steinkamp of Adams, MN, Tom (Diana) Hoogestraat of Glenwood, Steve (Joann) Hoogestraat of Carroll, Kay Campbell (Todd Julin) of Arcadia, and Jill (Cory) Johnston of Carroll; his step-mother-in-law, Iola Hoogestraat of Carroll; as well as other extended relatives and many friends.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings: Eddie Irlbeck and Alice Steinkamp of Minnesota and Lavon Irlbeck of Colorado.

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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Our sympathy. Diane and John Walsh

Diane and John Walsh – April 16 2018 at 9:07 PM

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OUR SYMPATHY TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY--MARK & JOLENE STOELK

JOLENE STOELK – April 17 2018 at 1:35 PM

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Rest in peace Elmer

dennis nees – April 18 2018 at 6:29 AM

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Linda & Family, Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Elmer. We will keep your family in our prayers

Bruce & Mae Vonnahme – April 18 2018 at 10:03 AM

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So sorry to hear about the loss of your husband, Dad and Grandpa... Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Jill Janson – April 19 2018 at 8:08 AM

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