Facebook

Obituaries

Print

Lois Hoelker

05/27/1929 –
09/29/2022

Share

Obituary
Obituary
Tribute Wall
Share a Memory
Send Flowers

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.

Lois Hoelker, 93 of Carroll and formerly of Sioux City, died Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Regency Park Nursing Home in Carroll.

Funeral Services will be at 1 p.m., Friday, November 18, 2022 at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. Following the funeral service, please join the family for refreshments in the Sharp Center.

Burial will be a later date in Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Lois’ family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Lois Hoelker was born in Elkton SD on May 27, 1929 the daughter of Sam and Rose (Simoni) Saccony.

She grew up in Sioux city, IA graduating from Central High School. She joined the Navy after high school and became a dental hygienist there. While on leave she met her future husband Merritt. She married him in 1951 in Charleston, South Carolina where she was stationed. They made their home in Sioux City, IA.
Lois loved gardening and was a Master Gardener from the state of Illinois. For many years she was a volunteer at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. She excelled in cooking and loved playing pinochle. Her favorite love was her family.

Lois is survived by her sister Mary Ann O’Toole of Alburquerque, daughters, Paula Yates of Exira and Rita (Bob) Vonnahme of Carroll, grandchildren Tiffany Danhof of San Antonio, John (Shana) Yates of Grinnell, Sam (Jenny) Yates of Sioux City, Sarah (Brandon) Bradshaw of Sioux City, Matt (Ginny) Sanem of Manning, and Joe (Amanda) Sanem of Sioux City. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, husband Merritt, sons Matthew and Joseph, son-in-law Dan Sanem, brother Mike Saccony, sisters Therese Murphy and Fran Paulos.

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'M A TERRIBLE COOK! I was still with the Brothers at the time and was in Sioux City visiting relatives - which included the Hoelkers, of course. Aunt Lois invited us over for a Rigatoni Supper, and not long before we were ready to eat, she announced that she'd forgotten something at the store. "Come on, Dan," she said, "Come with me." No one thought that that was strange. So off we went, and as we were approaching an A&W Drive Up, she pulled in and parked. She swiftly turned toward me and said, "I'm a terrible cook, so you and I are going to have their famous breaded Chicken Fried Steak sandwich." I looked at her and began to laugh hysterically. "But we're just about ready to eat." Then she laughed too, and said, "No, no, no. We're eating here. It's my favorite place." So she ordered, we ate, and then returned to the Hoelker home. But before we exited the car, she made me promise that I wouldn't say anything before the meal. I promised. My mom, (Lois' sister), asked where the groceries were. "Oh," she answered, "We decided just to spend the time visiting." We all sat down and everyone enjoyed her Rigatoni. I took a small portion and agreed with the guests at the table, that Lois' cooking was fabulous! Later, when our family got back home, I told them about the A&W treat. I'd never had Chicken Fried Steak, and Lois was right - it was absolutely delicious. But so was her meal. It made her feel good to treat me to her favorite fast food - and it made me feel good to share the story of our outing after we'd gotten home. One thing about visiting Lois was, we always laughed. She made sure of that. She had a way of making everyone feel happier when they parted than before they arrived. "Lois, may your journey to Paradise be swift, and may your mansion be pleasing to you who lived such a beautiful life. I am so happy that you were my aunt! Amen."

Dan Paulos – October 16 2022 at 6:39 AM

icon-quote
The Paulos Cousins purchased the Enchanted Cottage for the family of Lois Hoelker.

The Paulos Cousins – October 16 2022 at 7:21 AM

Send a Personalized Message:
Photos
Photo