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.

Leona Drees, 84, of Carroll, died Sunday, April 19, 2015, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Kate Cuddy and the St. Lawrence Choir. Lector will be Vernon Drees. Gift Bearers will be Stephanie Drees, and Jessi Drees. Eucharistic Ministers will be Vernon Drees, and Leo and Joleen Kasparbauer. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Jennifer Drees, Mandi Denner, Tamie Drees, Jessi Drees, Jess Drees, Stephanie Drees, Abby Drees, Emily McNamara, Knox Drees, Caroline Dieter, Andrew Dieter, and Emma Dieter. Casket Bearers will be Travis Drees, Justin Drees, Cory Drees, Chris Dieter, Craig Denner, and Tre` Talton. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.

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

The casket will be moved to St. Lawrence Church at 9 a.m. Wednesday; where visitation will resume 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 at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Born on June 28, 1930 at Dedham, Iowa, Leona was the daughter of John L. and Clara (Heman) Golwitzer. She spent her younger years near the Dedham community where she also attended school. After her schooling Leona worked as a Nurse’s Aide at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll. On October 2, 1952 Leona was united in marriage to Rudy Drees at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Carroll by Most Revered Frank Greteman. The couple made their home north of Carroll where they were active in their farming operation. In addition to farming, Leona had a big garden on the farm, she raised many baby chickens each year, and also sold eggs. Over the years Leona also worked at the Carroll Health Center, New Hope Village, and Mallard View.

Leona enjoyed spending time with her kitties, Buddy, and Button. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, word search puzzles, puzzles, crocheting, and singing. Most of all Leona enjoyed spending time with her family, and friends. Leona was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll.

Left to celebrate Leona’s life are her children: Kristy (D. Allen) Kopp of Ft. Dodge, Randy (Joan) Drees of Carroll, Kathy (Danny) Brock of Spencer, Tennessee, Larry (Sheryl) Drees of Adair, Kenny (Laurie) Drees of Vail, and Karla (James) Billmeier of Carroll; her grandchildren: Jennifer Drees, Travis (Abby) Drees, Mandi (Craig) Denner, Justin (Jess) Drees, Tamie Drees, Cory (Fiancé Emily McNamara) Drees, Stephanie Drees, Chris Dieter, and Jessi Drees; her great-grandchildren: Tre` Talton, Caroline Dieter, Andrew Dieter, Emma Dieter, and Baby Denner; her siblings: Regina Vogt of Rochester, Minnesota, Clarence (Mary Ann) Golwitzer of Wesley, and Alvina Rotert of Storm Lake; her brothers and sisters-in law: Theresa Golwitzer of Algona, Vernon (Phyllis) Drees of Lidderdale, Mary Jane Drees of Carroll, and Joe (Donna) Drees of Warrensburg, Missouri, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, husband Rudy, a grandson David Drees; her siblings: Fred Golwitzer, Arnold Golwitzer, Leonard Golwitzer, Martha Hagedorn, Nora Pottebaum, and John Golwitzer.

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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So sorry to hear the passing of your mother. She was a good friend and co-worker for many years. During this difficult time my thoughts and prayers are with you. With deepest sympathy Jim Boyd

Jim Boyd – April 20 2015 at 11:37 AM

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Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family throughout this difficult time! Ernie and Linda Golwitzer

Linda Golwitzer – April 20 2015 at 7:15 PM

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My deepest condolences to the family of Leona Drees. May you find comfort in your loving memories and in God's promises to soon swallow up Death forever and wipe away the tears from all faces (Isaiah 25:8). While grief at the loss of Leona is great , joy at welcoming her back in the earthly resurrection will be much greater.

Teri Morgan – May 01 2015 at 11:38 AM

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So sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Rest in peace, Mrs. Drees.

Julie Lisi – April 20 2015 at 3:42 PM

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Randy, Joan & family: We want to extend our most heartfelt sympathy to you during this difficult time. Hoping you find comfort in knowing that your mom is now at eternal peace. Thinking of you & sending prayers always. Beth Danner & Mike Hockey

Beth Danner – April 20 2015 at 6:32 PM

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