Merlin “Merlie” H. Loew

01/23/1935 –

12/22/2013

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.

Merlin Loew, 78, of Maple River died early Sunday morning, December 22, 2013 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Mass Servers will be: Ray Boeckman, Jim Derner and Larry Loew. Music for the mass will be by Barb McDermott and the Holy Spirit Choir. Lector for the funeral mass will be Shelly Loew. Gift Bearers will be: Lollie Derner, Katie Hoffman, and Aggie Snyder. Eucharistic Ministers will be Ann Popp and Kris Feld. Honorary Casket Bearers will be: Rick Bruning, Darrell Schaeuble, Becky Loew, Lou Ann Loew, Shawn Popp, Kelly Loew, Shelly Loew, and Emily Loew. Casket Bearers will be: Deb Bruning, Cindy Schaeuble, Jeff Loew, Brenda Wiederin, Richie Loew, Don Loew, Ann Popp, Dean Loew, Neal Loew, Jr. Loew, Mike Loew, and Rob Loew. Merlie’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren will form an honor guard for the funeral mass. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery at Maple River.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4:30 p.m. on Monday where there will be a rosary at 5 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. by Holy Spirit Parish.
The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church at 9 a.m. on Tuesday 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 Merlie’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

On January 23, 1935, Merlin and his twin sister, Marion, were born to Steven and Florence (Hermsen) Loew of Carroll, IA. Merlie attended St. Francis School and Carroll High School. He helped his family with their farm and dairy operation later going to work for Chicago Northwestern Railroad until 1968. Merlin was united in marriage to Marie Boeckman on November 23, 1957 at Wall Lake, Iowa. He returned to farming and raising livestock in the Maple River area and also owned and operated Merlie’s place in Carroll. Merlie’s passion was laying carpet; he owned Loew’s Carpet and passed the trade down to his family. Overall Merlie just loved life; fishing, playing cards, singing, and attending exotic animal sales. His greatest joy in life though was his entire family who were by his side when he passed away Sunday morning at the age of 78. Merlie was a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Carroll.

Merlie is survived by: his wife Marie Loew of Maple River; his children: Deb (Rick) Bruning of Breda, Cindy (Darrell) Schaeuble of Kansas City, MO, Jeff (Becky) Loew of Storm Lake, Brenda Wiederin of Algona, Richie (Lou Ann) Loew of Grimes, Don Loew of Carroll, Ann (Shawn) Popp of Adel, Dean Loew of Carroll, Neal (Kelly) Loew of Indianola, Jr. (Shelly) Loew of Carroll, Mike (Emily) Loew of Carroll and Rob Loew of Carroll; 40 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; his siblings: Twin Sister, Marion (Roland) Daniel of Carroll, Larry (Mary Jane) Loew of Maple River, Katie Hoffman of Carroll, Lollie (Jim) Derner of Sac City, Aggie (Bob) Snyder of Des Moines, Steve (Deb) Loew of Des Moines; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Merlie was preceded in death by his parents; his grandsons: Matthew Loew and Jason Bruning; his sister, Ethel Mae Davis; his brothers: Denny, Clancy, and Joe Loew.

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

To Marie and family: You have my deepest sympathy. I became aquainted with Merlie at the Denison sale barn. He was always a happy go lucky guy and proud of his large family and living in Maple River. I always enjoyed visiting with him. God's Blessings Jerry Boger

Jerry Boger – December 23 2013 at 2:22 PM

Dick, LuAnn, and all the Loew family, So sorry to hear of your loss. I have some great memories of your home in Maple River and Merlies Place! Lean on each other now and remember the good times with your dad. Hugs, Debbie (Louis) Baur

Debbie B – January 07 2014 at 8:11 PM

To everyone in Merlie's family, my family and I wish to express our deep sorrow at your loss and offer our condolences. We each have our memories of him; he was certainly a man who will not be forgotten. Our sympathy, Jeanne, Jim and Julie Wilson

Jeanne Wilson – December 25 2013 at 6:26 PM

DEAR MARIE, GLORIA SENT AN EMAIL TO US CLASS OF '57 STATING THAT YOUR HUSBAND HAD PASSED ON. I AM SORRY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES LOSS. WARM REGARDS, EJNER JACOBSEN

EJNER JACOBSEN – December 24 2013 at 12:31 PM

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Know that lots of people are thinking of you with deepest sympathy. Keep in mind... your heart will remember long after you've said your goodbye. Take care.

Jean Griffith – December 24 2013 at 11:36 AM

Obituaries