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.

Florine Nielsen, age 89, of Dedham, died Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at Regency Park Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham. The celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm assisted by Deacon Louis Meiners. Music will be by Cindy Bauer and the St. Joseph’s Choir. Lector will be Janelle Kracht. Gift Bearers will be Chad Nielsen and Gage Nielsen. Casket Bearers will be Jeff Kracht, Justin Kracht, Jeremy Kracht, Rich Wiskus, Jr., Dan Wiskus, and Doug Shelton. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. A Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to St. Joseph’s Church on Friday morning where visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for Florine’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Florine, the daughter of John J. and Regina (Bauer) Wiskus was born on March 7, 1934, on the family farm south of Dedham, Iowa. She attended St. Joseph’s School in Dedham. On August 22, 1959, Florine was united in marriage to Harold Nielsen of Audubon by Rev. Henry Meyer at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham. Florine worked for the hot lunch program at St. Joseph’s School from 1961-1969, and then she worked at Kitt’s Meat Processing from 1969-1974. In 1975 Florine and Harold welcomed their only child, Chad, and Florine became a devoted homemaker.

Florine enjoyed playing cards, bingo, family holidays, fishing with family, and the annual summer trip to Okoboji. She also babysat for area families and cleaned homes in the area. Florine moved to Regency Park in Carroll in the fall of 2019. She was a member of St. Jospeh’s Parish in Dedham. She will be remembered for being a great mom and grandma.

Florine is survived by her son, Chad (Kim) Nielsen of Dedham, grandsons: Trevor Lucht of Colorado, and Gage Nielsen of Dedham; her sisters: Delores Kerkhoff of Carroll, Mary Ann Brincks of Carroll and Janice Kracht of Coon Rapids; sisters-in-law: Cleo Wiskus of Exira, Joan Wiskus of Coon Rapids, and Thelma (Vern) Shelton of Des Moines, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Florine was preceded in death by her husband: Harold Nielsen, her parents: John and Regina Wiskus; parents-in-law: Art and Gladys Nielsen; brothers: Charles Wiskus and Richard Wiskus, Sr.; brothers-in-law: David Kerkhoff, Gene Brincks, and James Kracht.

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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RIP Flo!! So happy that our paths were able to meet. You were such a sweet lady and awesome card player. We had some great memories that we will treasure. God Bless You!!

Vicki Linde – August 16 2023 at 10:17 AM

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I will always remember Florine as the sweetest soul with the kindest of hearts. She was quick to open her home to me, and she cared for my girls like they were her own. She was a very special gift to me during our time in Dedham. When I'd see her at Regency she often told me how much she wanted to go home or... just see her old house. Well, now she can. May God bless her journey. Rest well my sweet friend.

Jean Griffith – August 16 2023 at 2:28 PM

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So sorry to hear this ! Florine was the sweetest person I know. I always enjoyed talking to her either at the post office or on the sidewalk, she always had a smile on her face . Sure missed seeing her around Dedham after she went to Carroll. May she RIP. Hugs to all !!

Julie Danner – August 16 2023 at 5:45 PM

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To the family of Florine I'm so very sorry for your loss and may you find comfort in the days ahead I am so glad we were blessed to have you as a neighbor in Dedham You were there for many joyful events and I remember having lots of fun with you from going to play bingo ,to painting and planting flowers. You will always have a special place in my heart as my mom enjoyed drinking tea and playing cards and bingo with you as well I remember lots of laughs and conversations when you would venture down two houses to ours or when my mom was able to walk two houses up to your house I was so glad to be able to see you and visit with you some the last few months You were one that was like a second mom to me at times and I won't forget some of the mischief and fun we got into especially when my parents weren't home Say hi to my mom for me "my old Dedham neighbor " as I called you from time to time and then you would chuckle May the Lord welcome you home to Harold and your other family members and I hope you are at peace Your smile and little way you laughed I will never forget Thank you for always looking out for my mom when she was alive when I was busy and when dad was busy working RIP my old Dedham neighbor and friend until we see you again

Tracy Sturm ( Meiners) – August 15 2023 at 5:35 PM

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Condolences to Florine’s family. A sweet lady who wore the best smile! Pat and Marty Oswald

Pat & Marty Oswald – August 18 2023 at 1:34 PM

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