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.

Kenny Nees, 92 of Mt. Carmel, died Sunday, December 14, 2025, at UNMC in Omaha.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Mt. Carmel. The Celebrant will be Fr. Terry Roder. Music will be by Nancy Lemker, Sherry Loughran and the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Choir. Lectors will be Kenny’s daughter-in-law, Kim Nees and grandson, Paul Nees. Gift Bearers will be Kenny’s grandchildren. Eucharistic minister will be Kenny’s son-in-law, Randy Blake. Casket bearers will be Kenny’s grandchildren: Jason Nees, Kara Nees-Garner, John Nees, Chelsea Koster, Bennett Blake, Bryan Potthoff, Samuel Ainsworth, Ian Kolb, Taylor Nees, and Garrett Nees. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Mt. Carmel.

Friends may call at Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2025 where there will be a rosary at 6:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday at the church prior to the Mass.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. The family invites you to share stories and memories of Kenny or offer condolences at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Born on January 27, 1933, in Carroll, Iowa Kenneth Francis was the son of Rudolph and Mary (Underberg) Nees. He was the eighth of ten children. He graduated from Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in 1951. On May 20, 1952, Kenny married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Jeanette Baumhover at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Jeanette and Kenny made the Mt. Carmel area their home where they farmed and raised ten children with unconditional love.

A devout Catholic and beloved patriarch of his large family, he will be remembered for his steadfast dedication, lifelong curiosity, and wonderful sense of humor. A true “people person,” he never met a stranger. He was known for remaining “young until the end,” and was a familiar and welcome face in Carroll County, especially at “Al’s Corner” and Garden View.

A lifelong learner, Kenny embodied the principle that “you should learn something new every day”. He was an avid reader and loved sharing his knowledge and thoughts. He enjoyed simple pleasures like a good game of cards and was known for his community involvement, including singing in the church choir and caring for the cemetery grounds. He was immensely proud to be a steward of the Century Farm that had been in his family for generations. His creative outlet was making intricate wooden toys for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include nine children: Dan (Kathy) Nees of Ankeny, Steve (Iris) Nees of Halbur, Joan (Ed) Wehr of Carroll, Chris (Randy) Blake of Wiota, Theresa Potthoff (Jerry Green) of Pauls Valley, OK, Susan Nees (Scott Ainsworth) of Watkinsville, GA, Jill (John) Kolb of Ames, Joe (Mindy) Nees of Breda, and Mike (Kim) Nees of Carroll and daughter-in-law Rosanne Nees of Mt.Carmel; 28 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; his brother: Duane (Loretta) Nees; his in-laws Virgil (Mary) Baumhover, Marie Baumhover, Betty (Jerry) Klocke, Lenore (Richard) Fiedler, Anita Fiedler, Lorin (Lorraine) Baumhover, and Roger Baumhover.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jeanette, son Tom, son-in-law John Koster, great-grandson Becker Blake, his parents, his sisters and brothers: Florence Nees, Marvin Nees, Francis Nees, Rita Dentlinger, Rosella Berger, Donald Nees, Elmer Nees, and Mary Ann Brandt as well as his in-laws: Winifred Jorgensen and Jim Baumhover.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Mt. Carmel Faith Foundation in remembrance of Kenny.

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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Steve and Barb Clausen purchased the Blue Caribbean Bouquet for the family of Kenneth Nees.

Steve and Barb Clausen – December 15 2025 at 1:33 PM

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Kenny was an example to me of a man of faith and genuine kindness. He was a pillar of the Church in Mt. Carmel and I really can’t imagine Mt. Carmel without him. I remember when he grew a beard for the 150th celebration! He never missed the novena rosary in July. He was a good friend and neighbor to my mom and dad for decades. I will miss seeing him at daily Mass when I am in Carroll. May God give him a fitting reward. “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Michelle Reiff

Michelle Reiff – December 17 2025 at 10:17 PM

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My sympathies to Kenny’s family. Kenny always greeted and talked for a while with us even after Dan and I moved to Fort Dodge and would come back home for visits. While visiting Dan’s grave at the Mount Carmel cemetery last year, he saw me and stopped to offer condolences and to chat a little. He never forgot his friends and his community! “May he rest in peace, Amen.” Cheryl (Pudenz) Lychwick

Cheryl Lychwick – December 17 2025 at 11:34 AM

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To all of you who are Kenny's children and grandchildren, I offer my deepest sympathy. Kenny was Gods gift to the world for sure. It has been an honor to know him. May he rest in peace. Lorraine Schumacher Baumhover

Lorraine Baumhover – December 17 2025 at 7:11 AM

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Kenny was always friendly and interesting to talk too. I am sure he will be missed by many but especially by family. Our thoughts and prayers to all of you.

Barb and Mark Hoffman – December 16 2025 at 7:49 PM

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