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.

Mary Beth Keat, age 68, of Carroll, died Friday, January 14, 2022 at Accura Healthcare in Carroll.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at First United Methodist Church in Carroll. Officiating will be Rev. Cindy Johnson of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Carroll. Congregational hymns will be accompanied by Jan Pothoff. Casket Bearers will be Wes Horn, Tom Reiter, Duane Proctor, John Kitch, Betty Peterson, and Bonnie Jackson. Burial will be in the Carroll City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Additional visitation without greeting the family will be held from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. Wednesday morning at the church.

A livestream of Mary’s funeral will be available on Wednesday morning on the First United Methodist Church Facebook Page, as well as their YouTube page.

The Keat family wishes to express gratitude to family and friends for their outpouring of thoughts and prayers. A special thank you to First United Methodist Church for their use of facilities for the funeral service.

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

Mary Beth (Juilfs) Keat was born to Welton and Marlyse (Viox) Juilfs on October 14th, 1953 at Nebraska City, Nebraska. Mary grew up in Talmage, Nebraska, the middle of five children. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. Mary graduated from Nemaha Valley High School in 1971, then attended the University of Nebraska to study elementary education where she graduated in 1975.

On October 30th, 1976 Mary married Richard Keat at Faith Lutheran Church in Talmage, Nebraska. Rick and Mary made their home in Carroll, Iowa. Mary started her teaching career at Mt Carmel, then Breda, and moving eventually to Carroll Public Schools, where she retired after 40 years. They became parents to Brian in 1978 and Sarah in 1981.

Mary was an avid sports fan, supporting the Nebraska Huskers, and later adopting the Hawkeyes and Yankees. Mary was a voracious reader, loved crosswords, puzzles, sewing, she especially loved teaching and spending time with her family.

Mary is survived by her son Brian Keat and his wife Stephenie, son-in-law John Danner and Niki, her grandchildren Joseph Core, Emma Danner, Caleb Danner, Maxwell Keat, and Benjamin Keat, siblings Merlin Julifs and Sarah, Bodie Juilfs and Doreen, Barb Beall and David, sister-in-law Judi Daniel and John, Jane Keat, brother-in-law Ron Keat.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Welton and Marlyse Juilfs, mother-in-law Colet Keat, father-in-law George Keat, husband Rick Keat, daughter Sarah Danner, brother John Juilfs, sister-in-law Nancy Juilfs, and sister-in-law Deb Keat.

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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Mary was a great teacher and colleague. Bo and I offer our sympathies to the family and know that you are in our prayers. Hugs to you Brian. Amy and Bo Larrington

Amy Larrington – January 16 2022 at 1:46 PM

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My heart is broken with the news of Mary Beth passing. She was a friend back in the Talmage days. I would also see her at times here in Lincoln when she was going to college here. Her cousin Neil Burr was my best friend. Sincerely Don Prentice

Don Prentice – January 16 2022 at 5:02 PM

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I am so sorry for your loss. Mary Beth was a good friend to me and many others in high school. Through her letters and Christmas cards I know how much her children and grandchildren meant to her. Mary Beth will be missed. Susan (Zabel) Dryburgh

Susan Dryburgh – January 17 2022 at 6:10 PM

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My deepest condolences to family! Mary was a friend and did so much for Carroll! Now she is with Rick who was a friend of mine! So sorry for their kids and family!

Denny O’Grady – January 17 2022 at 11:06 PM

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Aunt Mary will be missed. She was funny, sweet and caring. Always enjoyed seeing her smile. Brian, your family is in our prayers. Aunt Mary, Uncle Rick and Sarah are once again together. Way to soon, but together in Heaven again. God Bless the Juilfs and Keat Families. It has and continues to be tough on all of us.

Phil Juilfs – January 18 2022 at 1:48 PM

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