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.

Lillian Schleisman, 82 of Carroll, died Friday morning, December 25, 2015 at Shady Oaks Care Center in Lake City, Iowa, surrounded by her family.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Lillian’s son, Fr. Jeff Schleisman. Homilist will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Con-Celebrants will be the Priests of the Sioux City Diocese. Music for the mass will be by Barb McDermott and the Holy Spirit Choir. Lector will be Vernon Drees. Gift Bearers will be: Sarah Hoefling, Katie Barkmeier, Mallory Schleisman, Makayla Schleisman, and Kelly Clampitt. Casket Bearers will be: Kurt Gemberling, Greg Gemberling, Cain Bachman, Casey Barkmeier, Tate Schleisman, Todd Irwin, and Jake Schleisman. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Holy Family Cemetery near Lidderdale.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4 p.m. on Tuesday where there will be a rosary at 5 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday where visitation will resume until 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 Lillian’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Born on September 16, 1933 at Carroll, Iowa, Lillian was the daughter of John and Geneva (Wieland) Kanne. She attended St. Lawrence Grade School and later attended Carroll High School. On June 14, 1955, Lillian was united in marriage to Lyle Schleisman at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll by Fr. Bernard Wieland, a Maryknoll Missionary.

Lillian was a devoted wife and mother to seven children. She loved to garden, can fruits and vegetables and share her produce with friends and family. She and her husband loved to dance at the Star Line, Lake View Ballroom and the Arcadia Legion Hall. She was an avid collector of many things including toy tractors and dolls. Lillian loved to shop, especially for clothes and always took pride in how she dressed and looked. A gifted baker and cook, around the Christmas season you could find her baking her many fine candies that would fill the countertops and tables, all of which she would give away. She loved to entertain people as she loved to bring joy and laughter to all she met. If there was an occasion to celebrate she was the master chef and no one would ever leave the home hungry or wanting. There was always a huge variety of dishes to be served and so numerous they filled the kitchen counters. Lillian was a very generous giver and she often times went out of her way to help others that were having difficult times or just to be hospitable to put a smile of their face. Lillian was a member of Holy Spirit Church in Carroll.

Lillian is survived by her husband Lyle of Carroll; her children: Deb (Jim) Gemberling of Sloan, Cindy (Bill) Barkmeier of Lake City, Yvonne Doty of Lake City, Fr. Jeff Schleisman of Jefferson, Les Schleisman (Deb Wirtz) of Lake City, and Brad Schleisman (Missy Netsch) of Lidderdale; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; her sisters: Marie Wernimont of Carroll and Inez Kasperbauer of Carroll; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Dee Kanne of Carroll, Lowell (Joan) Schleisman of Marshalltown, Ted (Jean) Schleisman of Lake of the Ozarks, MO, Dennis (Norma) Schleisman of Carroll, and June Bernholtz of Carroll; as well as other extended relatives.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, John and Geneva Kanne; her son Doug Schleisman; her great-granddaughter, Harper Gemberling; and her brothers: Bob Kanne, Roy Kanne, and Earl Kanne.

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

icon-quote
I am thinking of you during this difficult time. May God comfort you in the days ahead as Romans 15:5 says he supplies comfort and endurance. My deepest sympathies to the family of Lillian.

naomi – December 25 2015 at 2:19 PM

icon-quote
Lil was a great lady and I am happy to have known her. I know you will miss her but also know you have many great memories that will help during this sad time. My condolences to all the family. Jo Bachman

Joleen (Jo) Bachman – December 27 2015 at 2:37 PM

icon-quote
Aunt Lil where always found in her garden and very willing to share the many fruits of her labor. The Good Lord will be so happy to have such a wonderful, caring person with the Green Thumb in his Heavenly Garden. God Bless, Lil, and may the weather be always perfect for your fruits and vegetables. Nephew Mark Schleisman

Mark – December 28 2015 at 4:35 PM

icon-quote
Our deepest condolences to Lillian Schleisman family we will miss seeing you in your garden may God be with you God bless Jenny and Marv

Jenny & Marv – December 29 2015 at 3:53 PM

icon-quote
I will miss Lil's laugh. I can't think about Aunt Lillian without smiling. My husband Craig only met Aunt Lil a couple of times but she instantly made Craig feel like part of the family. Our deepest condolences to the entire family. Lil will be missed.

Susan Qualls – December 29 2015 at 3:59 PM

Send a Personalized Message: