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.

Karen Dentlinger, 57 of Maple Grove, Minnesota, died Sunday, September 18, 2011 at her home in Maple Grove, following a brave and inspirational battle with cancer.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, September 23, 2011 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Marcy Anderson and the St. Lawrence Choir. Mass Greeters will be Karen’s friends, Fay Lamer and Ann Peterson. Lectors will be Karen’s sister’s in-law: Diane Dentlinger and Cate Hegstrom, and Karen’s friend, Patty Miller. Gift Bearers will be Karen’s niece and nephews: Jill Roberts, Ryan Potthoff, John Darveaux, Adam Pipich, and Kevin Pipich. Eucharistic Ministers will be Karen’s sister, Janet Darveaux, Karen’s sister in-law, Debbie Dentlinger, and Karen’s cousin, Lynn Crozier. Casket Bearers will be Karen’s nephews, Ryan Potthoff and Brian Roberts, and Karen’s brother’s in-law: Mike Pipich, Craig Dentlinger, Roger Dentlinger, and Joel Dentlinger. Burial will be in the Carroll City Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4:30 p.m., Thursday where there will be a rosary at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Christian Wake Service by the parish.
Online condolences may be left for Karen’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born on June 4, 1954 at Charter Oak, Iowa, Karen was the daughter of Clarence “Curly” and Louise (Fraune) Menke. On August 6, 1994 she married Neil Dentlinger at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Eden Prairie, MN. She lived most of her childhood in Audubon and Carroll, Iowa with her sisters and brother: Janet, Joan, Jane and the youngest, Ron.
Karen began her Graphic Design career working for Jostens, based in Minneapolis. Then Neil and Karen moved to Oregon where she was the Director of Graphic Design for the company First Aid Only. Karen and Neil moved back to Minneapolis three years ago.
Karen was quite the character. She was a fun, adventurous, brave, creative, artistic, loving, hard-working, and thoughtful person who cherished life, family and friends…and most importantly, God. She especially enjoyed good jokes, ridiculous moments (mostly at the harmless expense of those she loved), along with her silly little stuffed animal collection – where each “pet” came alive with a character all its own. Karen (AKA, “Brutis 1”) loved hitting the heck out of a golf ball, traveling to exotic places, going for long walks, and shopping. She was quick to give a helping hand to others.
Karen was a joy and precious gift to her husband, family and many friends. We will miss our beautiful, beloved Karen, and we are grateful for the privilege to know and love her. We believe Karen’s mother, brother and grandparents are joyfully celebrating her arrival at the pearly gates.
Survivors include her husband Neil Dentlinger of Maple Grove, MN; her father, Clarence “Curly” Menke of Carroll; three sisters: Janet Darveaux of Phoenix, AZ, Joan (Pete) Potthoff of Phoenix, AZ, and Jane (Mike) Pipich of Denver, CO; 21 brothers and sisters in-law; 34 nieces and nephews, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Louise Menke in 2008; and her brother, Ronald Menke in 1987.

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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Neil and all Karen's Family, I am so sorry to read of Karen's death. Several years ago we chatted at a class reunion; I was impressed by her beauty, charm, and poise as well as by her concern for our classmates. I wish you comfort and peace.

Ann O’Leary Grossman – September 27 2011 at 11:06 PM

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Neil, I just found out about Karen and my heart goes out to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. She was a classy lady!

Jeff Busche – September 26 2011 at 10:32 AM

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Neil and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. KHS'72.

Donna (Venner) Friel – September 22 2011 at 10:59 PM

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Thinking about you and I am so sorry for your loss.

Beth Evans Halpern – September 22 2011 at 8:52 PM

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I want to send my sincere condolences to Jane and family. Your faith is amazing! Hugs!

Julie (Nelson) Kracht – September 22 2011 at 10:39 AM

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