Elvira Tiefenthaler

04/14/1918 –

05/24/2017

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.

Elvira Tiefenthaler, age 99, of Carroll, and formerly of Breda, died Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Music will be by Barb McDermott and the Holy Spirit Choir. Lector for the funeral mass will be Sandra Tiefenthaler. Gift Bearers will be: Mark Tiefenthaler, Jodi Bierl, and Jill Tegels. Eucharistic Minister will be Tony Tiefenthaler. Casket Bearers will be: Colby Bierl, Colin Bierl, Kenzie Bierl, Conner Tiefenthaler, Natalie Tiefenthaler, Tanner Tiefenthaler, Tabitha Tiefenthaler, and Max Tegels. Burial will be at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Breda.

Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Spirit Church and will continue until time of the funeral mass.

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

Born on April 14, 1918 in Sac County, Iowa, Elvira was the daughter of Peter and Barbara (Schulte) O’Tool. She married Clarence Tiefenthaler on August 30, 1939 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Auburn. The couple farmed south of Breda until moving into the Breda community in 1967. Elvira worked at the Carroll Elks Lodge for 14 years and then worked at Poppin Time Popcorn Company until her retirement.

Elvira was a member of Holy Spirit Church and parish ladies guild. She was a former member of St. Bernard’s Church in Breda and the National Catholic Order of Foresters.

Elvira is survived by her son, Merlin Tiefenthaler and his wife Marcia of Carroll; her grandchildren: Tony (Sandra) Tiefenthaler, Mark (Judie) Tiefenthaler, Jodi (Todd) Bierl, and Jill (Tim) Tegels; her great-grandchildren: Colby Bierl, Colin (Brooke) Bierl, Kenzie Bierl, Conner Tiefenthaler, Natalie Tiefenthaler, Tanner Tiefenthaler, Tabitha Tiefenthaler and Max Tegels; her great-great-granddaughter, Breya Rehm; and her sisters, Iola Muhlbauer and Rose Marie McAlister; as well as other extended relatives.

Elvira was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Clarence; her sister, Marcile Engel; and her brothers: Wilmer, Marvin and Ivan O’Tool.

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

So sorry for your loss. Elvira was my favorite waitress at the Lodge. I never had to order she knew exactly what I wanted. She was a great lady.

Jim Boyd – May 26 2017 at 3:59 PM

Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Elvira Tiefenthaler.

Comment #22447720 – May 25 2017 at 2:41 PM

Obituaries