Jean Schenkelberg

02/11/1931 –

10/09/2015

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.

Jean Schenkelberg, 84, of Carroll, died Friday afternoon, October 9, 2015 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll. The celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Mass servers will be Will Schenkelberg, Evan Schenkelberg, and Blake Schenkelberg. Music will be by Barb McDermott and the Holy Spirit Choir with Peyton Schenkelberg as soloist. Lectors will be Holly Schenkelberg, Lauri Schenkelberg, and Jean Schenkelberg. Gift Bearers will be Austin Schenkelberg, Courtney Schenkelberg, Alivia Schenkelberg, and Hailey Schenkelberg. Eucharistic Minister will be Tim Toohey. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Bill Schenkelberg, Mindy CaVan, Lindsey Cose, Kelli Russell, and Alison Schenkelberg. Casket Bearers will be Adam Schenkelberg, Justin Schenkelberg, Greg Spurgeon, Kurt Spurgeon, Eric Spurgeon, and Ryan Spurgeon. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll. The St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary will form an honor guard for the funeral mass.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4:30 p.m. on Monday where there will be a rosary prayed at 5 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7 p.m.

Visitation will resume at Holy Spirit Church after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, and will continue until the 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 Jean’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Born on February 11, 1931 at Carroll, Iowa, Norma Jean was the daughter of Ben and Elizabeth (Kohorst) Wernimont. She attended grade school at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, and later graduated from St. Angela’s Academy. After high school Jean worked at the Carroll County Courthouse. On May 19, 1951 Jean was united in marriage to Bill Schenkelberg at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. The couple made their home in Carroll.

Jean was a devoted homemaker. She enjoyed and frequently volunteered at the Kuemper Catholic School System, and at the St. Anthony Hospital Coffee Shop with the St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed golfing, crafts, flowers, bridge, and windmills. Jean was known for her delicious M&M cookies. Most of all Jean enjoyed her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, and her neighborhood. Jean had a strong faith, and was an active member of Holy Spirit Parish in Carroll.

Left to celebrate Jean’s life is her husband Bill Schenkelberg of Carroll; children: Gary Schenkelberg of Glidden, Tom Schenkelberg of Kansas City, MO, and Debra (Pat) Spurgeon of DeWitt; her grandchildren: Bill Schenkelberg, Adam Schenkelberg, Justin Schenkelberg, Mindy CaVan, Lindsey Cose, Kelli Russell, Greg Spurgeon, Kurt Spurgeon, Eric Spurgeon, Ryan Spurgeon, and Alison Schenkelberg; 13 great-grandchildren; her siblings: Rose (Mike) Kean of Stewartville, MN, and Don (Phyllis) Wernimont of Virginia Beach, Virginia; her in-laws: Virginia Wernimont of Atlantic, Larry Schenkelberg of Carroll, Virginia Schenkelberg of LeMars, and Gloria Schenkelberg of Carroll; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter Pamela Schenkelberg in 2010; her siblings: Wilfred and Lester Wernimont; her in-laws: Paul Schenkelberg, Al Schenkelberg, Marvin Schenkelberg, and Donna (Al) Snyder.

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

Jean and I shared so many years as volunteers at Kuemper and St. Anthony Coffee Shop. We also shared an apartment while we were young working girls. She was a wonderful friend and I admired her courage through all her trials and especially in the last weeks of her life. I will miss her so much. Thank you Jean for being my friend Love and prayers always, Irma

Irma Reicks – October 10 2015 at 6:37 PM

So sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. Kurt and Sallly Sorenson,

Sally Sorenson – October 11 2015 at 9:34 AM

With deepest sympathy Bill to you & your family . May you find all your memories together a constant source of comfort. She was great person ! Thinking of you at this time. Gloria Riesberg

gloria Riesberg – October 11 2015 at 11:50 AM

Sending hugs and love from from many many friends in Eastern Iowa. I didn't know Jean but she must have been a most wonderful woman.....Deb is her daughter!! Blessings to you all.

Tracey McCulloh – October 11 2015 at 8:27 PM

So So sorry to hear the news of Jean passing. Wonderful memories of her hosting family meals and gathering. Way back the family's would meet for breakfast in the park on Sunday mornings, fried corn bread. Her infectious smile and positive way was a treasure. Hoping our Thoughts and Prayers bring some comfort to the Family. Always in our thoughts, Love Karen and Allan Schenkelberg

Allan Schenkelberg – October 12 2015 at 9:06 AM

Obituaries