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.

Jim Masching, 77, of Carroll, died Monday, February 28, 2022 at Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home in Coon Rapids, Iowa due to Parkinson’s and pulmonary conditions.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll. The celebrant will be Father Kevin Richter. Music will be by Jane Heithoff, Abby Murrane, and Scott Masching. Lector will be Becky Snyder and Eucharistic minister will be Joni Tigges. Mass servers will be Owen Masching, Colby Pudenz. Gift bearers are Jim’s grandchildren. Casket Bearers will be Dan Wieland, Ron Wieland, Tim Wieland, Pat Masching, Neil Baumhover and Russ Pietig. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Larry and Judy Feld, Glenn and Jane Soyer, Jerry and Sherry Renze, Vernon and Linda Renze. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. A Knights of Columbus Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed at 5 p.m. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church on Saturday morning where visitation will continue from 9a to 9:45a.

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

Jim was the second youngest child of Clarence and Catherine (Gehling) Masching and was born on April 15, 1944, in Carroll, Iowa. He graduated from Kuemper Catholic High School 1962. He served in the Army National Guard October 1963 to 1969.

On February 19, 1966 he married Joyce Kerkhoff at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton, Iowa. Jim was a pork producer and farmer. He was Carroll County Pork Producers president in 1976, the centennial year, and was awarded Iowa Master Swine Producer in 1979. He worked as a direct support professional for 10 years to clients at New Hope Village, Carroll, Iowa.

Jim was a member of St John Paul II Parish Holy Spirit in Carroll, the Knights of Columbus, and the Moose Lodge #273.

Jim will always be remembered for his friendliness, good sense of humor and his work ethic. He was proud of his brothers and sisters and encouraged family, friend, and neighbor gatherings.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Joyce of Carroll, and two cherished children: Jill (Jeff) Jones of Aurora, CO and Jay (Julie) Masching of Carroll, Iowa: grandchildren Peyton Green, Rebecca Bogner, Joey Masching and Joanna Masching: great-grandchild Lincoln Jolin; brother Don Masching, sisters Edna Ludwig and Lois (Charles) Neumayer; brother in law Paul Wieland; brother and sisters-in-law Dorothy Kerkhoff, Imelda Kerkhoff, Frank and Carol Kerkhoff, David and Delores Kerkhoff as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings and their spouses: Rosemary and Lee Schon, Louis and Eunice Masching, Edwin and Norma Masching, Donald and Evie Wieland, Lorraine Wieland, Mary and Jim Pudenz, Orville Ludwig, Barbara Masching and two siblings in infancy, Leona Masching and Robert Masching.: his parents in law Alphons and Frances Kerkhoff; brother and sister in laws Orville Kerkhoff, Meryl Kerkhoff, Joan, and Francis Tunink.

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'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. You were such a special couple with so many gifts to share. Know that your family is in my prayers especially at funeral time. Marian Pickhinke - Fort Dodge, IA.

Marian Pickhinke – March 02 2022 at 9:16 PM

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1 file added to the album Masching Home Video

Jay Masching – March 08 2022 at 10:15 AM

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Joyce, I’m so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. After 54 years, there must be an enormous hole in your heart. Losing the one person you could share your day with or share past memories with must be overwhelming. My sympathy to you and your family. Ann Longerot

Ann Longerot – March 07 2022 at 5:01 PM

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Scott, Teri, Erin, & Brody Kerkhoff purchased the Gracious Lavender Basket for the family of James Masching.

Scott, Teri, Erin, & Brody Kerkhoff – March 04 2022 at 2:46 PM

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Our deepest sympathies to you dearest friend Joyce and your kids, Jay and Jill . What a special guy Jyme was thru the years with his great laugh and fun he brought to all those around him. We have so many memories with you guys and he will be so missed. Nanci also sends her deepest sympathy to you Jill and we will keep all your family in our prayers as you get thru these sad days. Kathy and Bill

Kathy and Bill Rupiper – March 04 2022 at 12:14 PM

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