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.

Evelyn Wille, 95 of Carroll, died Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Carroll Health Center Nursing Home.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Marcy Anderson, Amanda Klocke, Jake Gute, and the St. Lawrence Choir. Mass servers will be: Bailey Nichols and Meredith Werden. Lectors for the funeral mass will be Kris Wiederin and Stephanie Wiederin. Gift Bearers will be: Chelsea Wiederin, Colby Wiederin, and Nicholas Cavazos. Eucharistic Ministers will be: Jean Knobbe, Ann Christiansen, and Lynette Lehrter. Casket Bearers will be: Jason Grossman, Joe Grossman, Colby Wiederin, Steve Wiederin, and Matt Wille. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll. The St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary will form an honor guard for the funeral mass.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday where there will be a rosary at 4 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 6 p.m.

The casket will be moved to St. Lawrence Church at 9 a.m. on Wednesday where visitation will resume 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 Evelyn’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Born on February 28, 1918 at Carroll, Iowa, Evelyn Elizabeth was the daughter of Fred and Elizabeth (Schmitz) Wells. She attended St. Augustine School in Halbur and later graduated from St. Angela’s Academy in Carroll.

Evelyn was united in marriage to Elmer Wille at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Carroll on June 17, 1946. The couple made their home in Carroll where Evelyn raised their four children and she later worked at Ellerbrock’s and Water’s Department Store. Evelyn volunteered for the American Red Cross Bloodmobile, St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop, and always enjoyed her bridge clubs. With a deep devotion to her faith she was very active in St. Lawrence Parish, Parish Ladies Guild, and St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary. Her greatest joy was spending time with her entire family.

Survivors include her children: Susan Payson of Carroll, Scott Wille and wife Sandra of Wheaton, IL, Dr. Jim Wille and wife Debbie of Clive, and Lynne Grossman and husband Mark of Waukee; her grandchildren: Kris (Steve) Wiederin, Sarah (Zach) Burns, Carrie (Aaron) Cavazos, Betsy Wille, Megan (Dave) Tocco, Jason Grossman, Matt Wille, and Joe Grossman; her great-grandchildren: Stephanie, Chelsea, and Colby Wiederin, Nicholas and Andrew Cavazos, and Madeline and Emma Tocco; her siblings: Francis “Bud” Wells of Carroll, Bernie (Copee) Wells of Carroll, and Mary (Bob) Kloser of Carroll; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband Elmer in 1995.

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 was so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I just saw Sue the other day and asked how she was doing. I have a few stories of Evelyn from the nursing home, as I was taking care of another resident. One Wednesday they were having Mass, I was in the back watching. The priest was not there that day so a nun said the prayer service. After she was done she said to the residents, " Wait we have to sing our song." She started singing "You Are My Sunshine" going to each resident taking their hand while singing. It was so moving I had tears in my eyes. Well now to the story about your beautiful Mom, she was sitting on the opposite side the nun started, she must have thought that the song would be done before the nun got to her. She got up out of her chair and ran with her walker towards the nun to give her a hug, it was simply beautiful. Can't say I have ever seen a senior move as fast as she did. I am sure she will be missed by you all, be thankful you had her as long as you did.

Patt Heithoff Hultman – January 27 2014 at 4:02 PM

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I would like to offer my condolences of the sweet and caring lady that I had the pleasure to get to know at the Nursing Home! I will always remember that Evelyn almost always had a smile on her face, and she was very understanding when we were running a little late to get her food out to her. She was someone who truly saw the light in people and things no matter how dim they may seem to everyone else. She will be greatly missed!

Ashley F. – January 28 2014 at 7:52 PM

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Will miss you aunt Evie, I will always have fond memories you and your family. Mark Kloser

Mark Kloser – January 28 2014 at 9:20 PM

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My sympathy to the Wille children, grandchildren and great grandkids. I will miss Aunt Evie dearly. She was such a pleasure to be around and I have many fond memories of her.

Rae Ann (Kloser) Frank – January 29 2014 at 4:17 AM

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Jim, Debby and Family - We are so sorry to hear about your loss. We just found out this morning (Wednesday) that Evelyn passed away. You have our deepest sympathies and we will keep you in our prayers and thoughts. Kent & Lou Ann Sandburg, Clive

Kent and Lou Ann – January 29 2014 at 10:09 AM

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