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.

Larry Ruhde, age 81, of Carroll, died Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Unity Point Health, Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Larry’s family will host a celebration of his life in the Sharp Center, 218 W. 8th Street, Carroll, from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Larry’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Lawrence (Larry) William Ruhde was born March 21, 1943, to parents Harold and June (Jensen) Ruhde in Manning, Iowa. Larry was raised in Manning where he attended Manning schools and began his long career as a truck driver. Larry married Patricia Knobbe in September 1961. They had 2 children, Renee and Rob.
Larry’s first driving job was with Ramsey’s in Manning and then with Juergens Produce & Feed in Carroll for over 40 years. The truck driver in him never stopped as he went back to driving part time for several years. He liked to park on Hwy 30 and watch the trucks go by and talk to the drivers on his CB. He loved playing cards, listening to polka music, sitting in his garage watching the traffic and neighbors go about their business, watching westerns, and listening to the Carroll radio station. Most of these activities were done with an Old Milwaukee Light in hand.
Larry married Elaine (Dai) McCord on November 29, 1982, in Las Vegas, NV. They lived in Carroll and were members of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Larry and Elaine were married 37 years. After their retirement, they spent several years traveling with their camper and spending winters in the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas.
Larry died on Saturday, March 23, 2024, after 17 days in Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines following a fall that left him with a spinal injury at the age of 81 years 2 days.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Elaine; his brother Steven; stepdaughter Debbie Peterson.
Larry is survived by daughter Renee (Mitch) Busch of Holt, MO; son Rob (Kim Lemmon) of Chandler, AZ; stepdaughter Cheryl (Leo) Block of Omaha, NE; stepson Keith McCord of Omaha, NE; step son-in-law Ronald Peterson of Westfield, MA; sisters-in-law Karen Ruhde of Omaha, NE; and Raeola (Dai) Rolle of Dunlap; brother-in-law, Dave Lehan of Omaha, NE; nephew Ryan Ruhde of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Victor Roa of Kansas City, MO; Zak (Leah) Busch of Lawson, MO; step grandchildren Dan (Kelsi) Block and Lindsey Block of Omaha, NE; Shelby Lemmon and Tanner Lemmon of Chandler, AZ; 6 great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.

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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Larry was a very special man. Randy and I worked with Larry at Juergens Produce. Alot of fun and alot of laughs. Many prayers for him and his family.

Randy and Wanda O’Neill – March 25 2024 at 9:59 AM

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Larry was a great guy.He was a hard worker at Juergens Produce.My dad Vernis Juergens thought he was a valued employee.My husband Alex liked trucking with him.He will be remembered

Gayle Toms – March 25 2024 at 2:18 PM

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Larry was a good friend to my parents. My dad Zeke worked with Larry. They had a lot of good times, you will be missed. Prayers to the family

Diane Campbell – March 26 2024 at 2:32 PM

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I’m so sorry for his family. I didn’t know Larry personally, only in passing. I will miss seeing his big wave and friendly smile as I drive my bus on Mockingbird.

Janet Olerich – March 26 2024 at 7:56 PM

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Although the obituary failed to mention Larry's Sister-In-Law Raeola (Dai) Rolle of Dunlap, Iowa, the Rolle family sends its sincerest condolences to the Ruhde family. Larry was a special person and the love of Aunt Elaine's life. Elaine is and Larry will be greatly missed. Rhonda Rolle Raeola's Daughter, Elaine's Niece and Larry's Step Niece

Rhonda Rolle – March 27 2024 at 8:21 AM

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