Mildred Heithoff

01/31/1926 –

01/09/2024

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.

Mildred Heithoff, 97 of Dedham, died Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at Journey Senior Services in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 15, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham. The Celebrant will be Fr. Merlin Schrad, assisted by Deacon Louis Meiners. Music will be by Cindy Bauer and the St. Joseph’s Choir. Mass servers will be Caden Mertes and Blake Mertes. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Anne Heithoff. Gift Bearers will be Mildred’s granddaughters. Eucharistic Minister will be Dale Sporrer. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Mildred’s grandsons. Casket Bearers will be Mildred’s grandsons: Chad Heithoff, Danny Heithoff, Alan Bancroft, Kurt Irlmeier, Tim Heithoff, and Sterling Short. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Dedham.
Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. Additional visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Monday at the church. 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 Mildred’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
The daughter of Frank and Clara (Schlichte) Fangman, Mildred was born on January 31, 1926. She grew up on a farm northwest of Templeton; attended country school, then graduating from Sacred Heart High School in Templeton.
On January 16, 1945, Mildred was married to Virgil Heithoff at Sacred Heart Catholic Church; to this union were 7 children. They made their home east of Templeton and in 1981 built a new home along 141 near Templeton.
Virgil passed away in 1990, Millie continued to live on the home place until 2019. Throughout her lifetime she worked at New Hope in Carroll for 25 years and was a 4H leader for 40 years.
Millie enjoyed traveling, scrapbooking and her angel, coin, and stamp collections. She was a devoted homemaker, mother, and loved attending all her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities. Millie could be described as a “spunky” lady, always enjoying a good card game and loved to bowl. Her favorite song was “Angels Among Us.” Mildred was a longtime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham.
Left to celebrate her life are her children: Larry (Anne) Heithoff of Templeton, Kenneth (Sally) Heithoff of Coon Rapids, Diane (David) Bancroft of Raytown, MO, Betty (Tom) Klocke of Coon Rapids, Marilyn (Gary) Dickes of Kenosha, WI, Keith (Sandy) Heithoff of Jefferson, and Michelle (John) Hutchcroft of Indianola; 26 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Edna Schrad of Carroll, Margaret Heithoff of Carroll and Bernice Halbur of Coon Rapids; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and many friends.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Virgil Heithoff; her daughters-in-law, Darlene Heithoff, and Kathy Ewing; her son-in-law, Gary Irlmeier; her granddaughter, Tawnia Spalding; her sisters, Bonnie (Ray) Riesberg, and Faye (Ed) Bluml; a brother, in infancy, Raymond; as well as Virgil’s siblings.

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

Chris Short and Judy Spaen purchased the Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum for the family of Mildred Heithoff.

Chris Short and Judy Spaen – January 13 2024 at 10:27 AM

Larry sorry to hear your mom passed. No matter the age it still hurts but peace to her now

jerry rupiper – January 15 2024 at 6:37 PM

Millie was a wonderful friend to my mother and our family. My mother taught in a one room school and Millie would help mom and the children celebrate by dressing up as Santa and delivering presents. I loved hearing the stories of those times including dating during the WWII. I attended several class reunions with them. She will be missed. I feel fortunate to have known her.

Nancy Fox – January 15 2024 at 3:23 PM

Millie was a nice lady liked to do things the right way, her way My sympathy to all the family I enjoyed taking care of Millie she was a special lady. Cindy Kraus

Cindy Kraus – January 15 2024 at 2:15 PM

Karan Hathcock Nieland My prayers are with all of you. Millie was a long time friend to my family as we grew up. loved bowling against her. What a beautiful angel heaven has now. Peace be with you all.

Karan L Nieland – January 14 2024 at 11:24 PM

Obituaries