Marian Niceswanger

08/19/1925 –

01/14/2019

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.

Marian Niceswanger, age 93, of Carroll, died Monday, January 14, 2019 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, January 18, 2019 at St. John Paul II Parish-Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Con-Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Music will be by Dr. Franklyn Busby, Pastoral Musician and the Holy Spirit Resurrection Choir. Lector for the funeral mass will be Marian’s son, Gary Niceswanger. Gift Bearers will be Marian’s daughter, Debra Davis and Marian’s granddaughters: Melanie Hawk, Jennifer Freed, Hilary Smith, Lacey Nalla, Shelby Niceswanger, Leah Henderson and Erica Uriarte. Eucharistic Ministers will be Carole Freed and Ellyn Van Vulzah. Casket Bearers will be her grandsons: Chris Freed, Jeffrey Freed, Nathan Niceswanger, Justin Niceswanger, Colin Niceswanger, and Shawn Davis. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 5 p.m. on Thursday where there will be a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church on Friday morning where additional visitation will be held from 9-9:45 a.m.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Marian’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Born on August 19, 1925 at Breda, Iowa, Marian was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Reiff) Wempe. She spent her younger years in Breda and attended St. Bernard’s School. On July 28, 1945, Marian was united in marriage to Dennis Niceswanger at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oakland, California. Following her husband’s honorable discharge from the United States Navy the couple returned to the Carroll area.

Marian was a devoted homemaker and also worked as a receptionist for Middendorf Heating and Cooling. In retirement she cleaned with other retired ladies at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. Marian enjoyed playing cards, fishing, listening to music and ballroom dancing with her husband. She loved cooking and baking for her family and friends. Marian could be described as frugal with a great sense of humor. She was a member of Holy Spirit Church where over the years she served in many capacities.

Survivors include her sons: Bruce “Bruno” Niceswanger of Boulder, Colorado, Alan Niceswanger and wife Mabel of Colfax, Ron Niceswanger and wife Lynn of Urbandale, and Gary Niceswanger and his wife Ellyn Van Vulzah of Grayslake, Illinois; her daughters: Carole Freed and husband DWayne of Council Bluffs and Debra Davis and husband Steven of Rock Springs, Wyoming; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; her sister, Marita Buelt of Carroll; her sisters-in-law: Rosemary Niceswanger of Carroll and Lorraine Wempe of Halbur; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Dennis in 2013; her son Gerald Niceswanger; and her brothers: Donald Wempe, Vernon Wempe, and Clarence Wempe.

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

My sympathies to the Niceswanger families. (We are distantly related. My great great grandmother was a Niceswanger. Dennis & Marian and Gail attended several of my relatives funerals over the years).

Julie Belstene – January 15 2019 at 4:13 PM

We met Marian at Erin and Nate's party. She struck us then as having a great sense of fun and good humor. We are sorry for the loss of such a lovely person.

Karin McBroom – January 15 2019 at 4:50 PM

So sorry for the families loss. I have so many great memories of Aunt Marion. She was always so sweet and had such a giving loving spirit. She was dedicated to and loved her husband and family dearly. And on top of it all a really good cook who always had a good desert to look forward to! You never went hungry in Aunt Marion’s house! She will be missed. Prayers that God surrounds all of you with his love and peace during this difficult time.

Sharon Fields – January 17 2019 at 9:07 PM

My sincere condolences to Marian's family. My mom, Lucy, went to St. Bernard's in Breda and would have known Marian long before both our families moved to adjoining blocks in Carroll. Mom so very much enjoyed her friendship with Marian as well as both couples going ballroom dancing. Melanie, I'm sorry you lost your grandmother; she was quite a lady.

Viv Onken-Polson – January 18 2019 at 10:54 PM

Our deepest sympathy and prayers of comfort are sent to all the Niceswanger family. We have been friends of Alan and Mabel for years. We are so sorry to hear of your loss.

Marilyn S. Jensen – January 19 2019 at 6:51 PM

Obituaries