Gerald Pawletzki

10/26/1948 –

02/27/2017

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.

Gerald Pawletzki, age 68, of Fonda, and formerly of Carroll, died Monday, February 27, 2017 at the Fonda Nursing and Rehab Center in Fonda, Iowa.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 3, 2017 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Craig Collison. Music will be by Kate Cuddy and the St. Lawrence Choir. Soloist will be Mary Teare. Lector for the funeral mass will be Joel Pawletzki. Gift Bearers will be: Joanie Jagow, Nancy Spencer, Sherri Igo, and Russell Pawletzki. Eucharistic Minister will be Karen Pawletzki. Casket Bearers will be: Jeffrey Olberding, Bradley Olberding, Rick Pawletzki, Randy Pawletzki, Brian Pawletzki, and Mark Pawletzki. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Francis Cemetery in Maple River.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Friday at St. Lawrence 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 Gerald’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Born on October 26, 1948 at Carroll, Iowa, Gerald was the son of Henry and Grace (Huegerich) Pawletzki. He attended St. Francis School in Maple River and later attended school in Carroll. Following his schooling he lived with his mother on the family farm near Maple River. Gerald later lived in Emmetsburg, Mallard View in Carroll and was most recently a resident at the Fonda Nursing Home.

He loved the farm and collected all types of John Deere memorabilia and loved animals. Gerald enjoyed bingo, crafts, and attending mass. He had a deep devotion to his faith and was a lifelong member of St. Francis Church in Maple River and was currently a member of St. Lawrence Church in Carroll

Gerald is survived by his sister, Delores (Dennis) Olberding of Eldorado Hills, CA; his sister-in-law, Karen Pawletzki of Carroll; his good friend, Margaret Lilla of Carroll; many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and many friends.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters: Ethel (Rene) Fontaine, and Marion (Richard) Noland; and his brothers: Eugene Pawletzki, and John (Lorraine) Pawletzki.

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.

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Tribute Wall

My dear sweet brother, I will miss you. Was amazed how many of the staff cared and loved you at Fonda Care Center. I will be forever grateful. Rest In Peace Forever Dee

Dee Olberding – March 01 2017 at 11:35 PM

My biggest memory of Gerald is his toy room in the attic. Do you other cousins remember sneaking in there to check it out and being run out of there if he caught us. Think of all the time it took for him to arrange it all. Diana

Diana Hale – March 01 2017 at 9:25 AM

I have many fond memories of Gerald residing at Mallard View. He always greeted staff with "hello" on a daily basis! Gerald loved his family, and loved John Deere tractors! May you rest in your heavenly home, with your John Deere machinery at your side! God bless you always , Gerald! Mary Daiker, Adm. Assistant, Mallard View Inc.

Mary Daiker – March 01 2017 at 10:15 PM

I do remember the attic with all the tractors and the cat clocks in his room. There's a lot of good memories of Gerald when I was younger and the farm.

Denise Page – March 02 2017 at 6:09 PM

Gerald had a great passion for his tractors and his pets. My fondest memories of Gerald are when grandma and I sat on the swing and Gerald would be there with his pets. Rest in peace Gerald. Love Darlene & Bob

Darlene Stevens – March 02 2017 at 6:19 PM

Obituaries