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.

Fred Gardner Mankin, 90, of Carroll died Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Regency Park Nursing Home in Carroll.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013, at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. Pastor Dennis Bailey of the First United Methodist Church in Carroll will officiate. Casketbearers will be Fred’s sons: Larry, Kevin, and Scott Mankin, as well as Fred’s son-in-law Steve McCrea. Honorary Casketbearers will be Fred’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren and Robert Mankin. Burial will follow in the Carroll City Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll on Friday, December 6, 2013 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visitation will resume at noon on Saturday and continue until the time of the service.

Memorials may be left at the funeral home to be directed to St. Anthony Hospice or the Carroll American Legion.

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

Born on November 21, 1923 in Pomeroy, Ohio, Fred Gardner Mankin was the son of Floyd Benjamin and Mabel Mitch Mankin. Fred graduated from Pomeroy High School and enlisted in the United States Army serving during World War II until his honorable discharge. On August 23, 1947 Fred was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mavis Ness at Pomeroy, Ohio. The couple lived in Ohio, Minnesota and South Dakota before moving to Carroll where Fred worked for the United States Postal Service. Fred then worked as a truck driver for L.A. Smith until his retirement. Fred loved to fish and to spend time in the sun. He also enjoyed walking, weekend drives with his family, and music. Fred was a passionate Ohio State Buckeye fan his entire life, and he never missed an opportunity to either attend a game or watch it on television. Fred was a long-time member of the Carroll American Legion.

Survivors include his children: Larry Mankin and his wife Susan of Columbia, MO, Robert Mankin and his wife Hella of Fresno, CA, Kevin Mankin and his wife Anne-Marie of Earlham, Anna McCrea and her husband Steve of Ames, and Scott Mankin and his wife Julie of West Linn, OR. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 52 years Mavis, and his brother Kenneth Mankin.

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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He and I would set at the 6th ave and have a beer and watch the tourist take pictures of the Corn Palace. Last time I called him in the last year talked about some of his favorite mail crews and course had a great conversation. When we were in Carroll to visit him he took us to the cemetery to show us where Mavis was buried. he was always full of what his children were doing and was so proud of each. we wish we could be with you for his service, but know he will be on our minds. we g Had such fun times together and he and Dick shared many happy hour together as they worked for the SMB stage lines and Mavis and I drank many pots of coffee! Wonderful memories of a great man. our deepest sympathy. on your loss. Dick and Marge Gallup 1110 west 5th street, Red-field, SD

Richard Gallup – December 05 2013 at 9:57 PM

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So sorry to hear about Fred's passing. He was a great man and I truly looked up to him when I was a child living next door. On behalf of myself and my sisters, Shelly and Brenda, our deepest sympathies. Dan Dailey.

Daniel Dailey – December 07 2013 at 10:07 AM

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My sympathy to Fred's family. He was one of my favorite customers when I worked at Commercial Savings Bank. Jerilyn Tryon

Jerilyn Tryon – December 07 2013 at 1:49 PM

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My thoughts and prayers are with you Scott, Julie, Chloe, Calvin and Morgan--as well as the whole Mankin family. I'm sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Joa

Joa LaVille – December 08 2013 at 10:39 AM

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Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family in this challenging time. Fred has left a fine family of children and grandchildren, of memories and hopes. In this season of Advent, waiting and expectation meet. May your lives be enriched by God's presence in the birth of the Christ Child even as you grieve with hope. . Janice and Alan Mace

Alan Mace – December 04 2013 at 7:32 PM

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