Geraldine Kleespies

09/04/1925 –

04/27/2014

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.

Geraldine “Geri” Kleespies, 88, of Breda, died Sunday, April 27, 2014 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2014 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Breda. The Celebrant will be Fr. Gary Snyder. Music will be by Marilyn Hundling and the St. Bernard’s Choir. Gift Bearers will be Geri’s children: Pat Schroeder and Mike Kleespies. Eucharistic Minister will be Joan Heiman. Casket Bearers will be Adam Kleespies, Jake Kleespies, Amanda Kleespies, Ashlie Koenig, Nick Schroeder, and Justin Carpenter. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Breda on Wednesday, after 4:30 p.m. where there will be a Rosary at 5 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m.

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

Born on September 4, 1925, near Mt. Carmel, Iowa, Geraldine was the daughter of Anton and Mayme (Lammers) Heiman. She attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, and later graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in Breda. On February 19, 1946 she was united in marriage to John Kleespies at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Breda. The couple lived in Stuart, Iowa for a short time before returning to Breda in 1948. John and Geri owned and operated J & J Café in Breda for several years. Geri worked as office secretary for the Farm Service Association from 1962 to 1982 when she retired.

Geri was very generous with her time volunteering at various places in the community. She was active with the St. Bernard’s Ladies guild, and the St. Bernard’s Quilters. She enjoyed needle work, fishing, pheasant hunting, golfing, having fun, and traveling to see family and friends. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family. Geri was a member of the Breda American Legion Auxiliary, St. Bernard’s Ladies Guild, The National Catholic Society of Foresters, and St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.

Survivors include: her children: Pat Schroeder and her husband Marty of Leander, Texas, and Mike Kleespies and his wife Lori of Lawler; grandchildren: Ashlie Koenig, Nick Schroeder, Adam Kleespies, Amanda Kleespies, and Jake Kleespies; two great grandchildren: Karly and Coby Koenig; a sister Bernice Henry of Newport Beach, California; her sister-in-law: Joan Heiman of Jefferson.

Geri was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, her brothers: Edwin Heiman, Eugene Heiman, Merle Heiman, Richard Heiman, Clarence Heiman, Harold Heiman, and her sister: Ella Mae Fee.

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 ~ Breda, Iowa

102 S 5th St, Breda, IA, 51436

712-673-2828

[email protected]

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

Mike, Pat & Families - So sorry that your mother has passed away. I have many, many wonderful memories of her from back in the 70's when we worked together at the ASCS office. She was very devoted to her family and her work, but was most proud of you as you grew and had families of your own. You are all in our prayers for comfort and strength as the days go by. Deb (Wilson) Porter

Deb Porter – April 28 2014 at 11:56 AM

Always enjoyed visiting your Mother at the nursing home. Deepest Sympathy! Doug Polking

Doug Polking – April 28 2014 at 4:29 PM

My prayers and sympathy to all of you. Geraldine was a delight! So sorry for your loss. Pat Polking Hogan

Pat Hogan – May 01 2014 at 12:26 PM

Although I didnt know Geraldine Kleespies. I wish to send my condolences to the family. I know how difficult it is to lose someone close in Death. Yet there is somethng that comforted me that I wanted to share with you. It was never God purpose for us to Die. Thats why at 1 corinthians 15:26 DEATH is call our ENEMY. God promise to do away with our ENEMY at Revelation 21:3&4. God also give us a hope for our Dead love one at John 5:28&29. The Bible's promises is indeed comforting. Understandably though this is still a very grievous time. Again my Deepest Sympathies

Teri Morgan – June 25 2014 at 7:27 PM

Mike and Family, Sorry for your loss. A Mother is one who can take the place of others, but whose place can never be taken. We will keep you in our prayers.

Lyn Knobbe-Krause – April 29 2014 at 8:20 PM

Obituaries