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.

Norman Ludwig, 79 of Breda, Iowa died Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at his home near Breda. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 13, 2011 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Breda. The Celebrant will be Fr. Richard Remmes. Organist will be Marilyn Hundling with Jake Gute as soloist. Mass Servers will be McKenna Ludwig and Walter Pugh. Lector for the funeral mass will be Norman’s niece, Renee Monson. Gift Bearers will be Norman’s nieces, Kathi Milligan and Keri Renze. Eucharistic Ministers will be Dave Grabner, Don Masching, and Leonard and Jean Grote. Casket Bearers will be Norman’s nephews: Randy Ludwig, Mike Ludwig, Gary Ludwig, Bob Ludwig, Tom Ludwig, Paul Ludwig, Jeff Ludwig, and Mark Ludwig. Burial will be at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Breda with military honors conducted by the Breda American Legion.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Breda after 4:30 p.m. Friday where there will be a rosary at 5 p.m., followed by a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m.
Memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for the Kuemper Catholic Schools Foundation.
Online condolences may be left for Norman’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born on July 25, 1932 at Mt. Carmel, Iowa, Norman Lawrence Ludwig was the son of Anthony and Ida (Steinkamp) Ludwig. He spent his younger years in the Mt. Carmel area and attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. On June 20, 1953 Norman married Mary Pick at St. Bernard’s Church in Breda. Following their marriage he owned and operated the Standard Gas Station in Auburn. Norman served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1957. After his time in the service, he sold automobiles for Lake View Motors and then began his farming career west of Breda where he farmed most of his lifetime, retiring in 1993. Norman and Mary stayed living on the farm west of Breda. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren immensely, always requesting their presence at the cabin in Lake View where he enjoyed boating and fishing. He loved to travel, and always looked forward to harvest time, where he could see the results of hard work, and God’s grace. This fall when the farmers start the combines, and everyone admires the beauty of the countryside, please offer up a big thank you, Norman would love that and smile. Norman was a member of St. Bernard’s Parish and the Breda American Legion, Fred F.& Norman J. Bruning, Post # 607.
Survivors include his wife Mary of Breda; his children: Steve Ludwig and his wife Nancy of Ackley, Ann Tiefenthaler and her husband Jim of Breda, Chris Ludwig and his wife Christy of Breda, and Lisa Irlbeck and her husband Steve of Templeton; 14 grandchildren: Jillian (Rocky) Robbins, Sean Ludwig, Channon Ludwig, Jasen (Jen) Tiefenthaler, Alissa (Blake) Eischeid, Alison (Jake) Freking, and Connor, Claire, Caleb, Carson, and Chloe Ludwig, Zach, Josh, and Colton Irlbeck; 7 great-grandchildren: Macy, Mitchell, Kennedy, Jacoby, Brynnley, Ava, and Zella; two brothers: Duane (Betty) Ludwig of Sioux Rapids, Orville (Edna) Ludwig of Carroll; his sisters-in-law: Norma Jean Ludwig of Vail, and Jane (Denny) Kluver of Breda; his step-sister, Darlene (Paul) Oswald of Carroll; his step-sister-in-law, Betty Neumayer of Breda, as well as many nieces, nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Mary; his mother and father in-law, Tony and Mildred Pick; his brother, Romaine Ludwig; sister-in-law, Grace Ludwig; brother-in-law, Loran Reising; his step-brother, Virgil Neumayer; and a nephew, John Ludwig.

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 and to all Norm's amazing family...... 5Just wanted you to know we are very blessed to have known and shared time with Norm. He is the head of a very close loving family .......to which is a part of his and Mary's legacy. Our daughter in law Jillian finds strength in all of you. Thanks for loving our son Rocky, too. Blessings of inner peace to all of you in the days ahead. John @ Donna

John Donna Robbins – August 12 2011 at 3:14 PM

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Just wanted to let you all know you are in our thoughts & prayers. We hope & pray God blesses you all with extra strength, to help you get through a very sad time. Your friends, Tim, Tina, Brandon & Madison

Tim & Tina Balk family – August 11 2011 at 11:20 PM

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Dear Mary, Steve, Ann, Chris and Lisa and families, My deepest sympathies for your loss. I know you all will miss Norm very much. I don't think anyone could have asked for a better neighbor. I have all kinds of memories flashing through my mind and Norm was smiling in everyone of them. God Bless! Barb and Bill Grabner-Kerns

Barb Grabner-Kerns – August 11 2011 at 10:58 PM

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