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.

To view a recording of Neal’s service please click on the link provided below. You will be redirected to YouTube:

Neal Bruening, age 59, of Carroll died Friday, March 20, 2020 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

After careful consideration from Neal’s family due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus Outbreak, Private Family Funeral Services will be held at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with burial to follow at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Mt. Carmel. A gathering to celebrate Neal’s life is tentatively being planned for later this year.

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

Neal, the son of Norbert and Florence (Masching) Bruening was born on January 23, 1961 at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, Iowa. He grew up near Mt. Carmel and graduated from Carroll High School.

Neal worked for many years as a Maintenance Technician at St. Lawrence Church, and later Mallard View both in Carroll. When he retired he became a resident of Swan Place Assisted Living, and later St. Anthony Nursing Home.

Neal enjoyed fishing with his parents in his earlier years, reading, walking and socializing with anyone he met. Neal’s faith was very important to him leading many Rosary’s before mass. In his earlier years he was active in the Knights of Columbus. Neal was a former member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Mt. Carmel, and a current parishioner of St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll.

Left to celebrate Neal’s life is his brother Wayne Bruening of Mt. Carmel. Two Nephews: Ross (Alexandra) Bruening of Omaha, NE and their children: Gus and Hank; Ryan (Sarah Billmeier) Bruening of Carroll, and their children: Landan, Linkin, Amelia, and Avah; and his niece: Chelsea Bruening of Denver, CO; as well as many extended relatives and family friends.

Neal was preceded in death by his parents: Norbert and Florence Masching, and a sister-in-law, Jane Bruening.

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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Wayne you and your family are in my prayers.

Cecelia Thelen – March 22 2020 at 5:44 PM

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I remember Neal with fondness from the years that I was in Mr. Carmel. Later as a resident of St. Anthomy Nursng Home, he would greet me with a great smile and interesting chatting. Blessings Neal, and my sympathy to all his family and friends. Sister Rita Heires

Sister Rita Heires – April 09 2020 at 9:32 PM

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Wayne and children, know that you are in our prayers. We offer our sympathy.

connie and Bill Foval – March 24 2020 at 11:35 AM

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Always remember Neal singing the dead skunk song , and visiting with him on the playground at school . One of the kindest people you could meet ,

Craig Fiscus – March 24 2020 at 6:14 AM

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Wayne and family. Prayers for your family during this difficult time.

Kim – March 23 2020 at 10:43 PM

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